Moving forward with Britain and the United States
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in Turkey for a two day visit aimed at reshaping relationships beyond Brexit. The talks, held at a moment when both London and Washington seek to strengthen their influence on the global stage, focus on reinforcing green energy initiatives and broadening economic and military cooperation with the United States. The UK leader is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden, with discussions expected to cover artificial intelligence governance and military support for Ukraine, among other items on the agenda.
Sunak views the visit as a platform to restore Britain’s economic and geopolitical weight after leaving the European Union. A preliminary step toward this goal involved considering a potential 16 billion euro investment from US companies. While a formal free trade agreement remains on the roadmap, discussions have yet to yield a concrete confirmation. The British government has expressed concerns about protectionist measures recently adopted by the Biden administration, including substantial subsidies for development and renewable energy projects.
Despite differences on economic policy, Sunak’s objective is to secure agreements that can accelerate Britain’s recovery. British exporters in sectors such as the automotive industry may stand to benefit from green subsidies that align with U.S. incentives, enabling firms to compete more effectively with American counterparts. The proposed deal is seen as a catalyst for a refreshed British economy and a potential revival of support for Sunak’s leadership at home, as Downing Street pursues a more dynamic relationship with Washington.
Artificial intelligence
Beyond economic considerations, Sunak aims to position the United Kingdom as a leading voice in the development and regulation of artificial intelligence. The plan envisions collaboration with Biden to establish an international regulatory body to set boundaries for technology still in its early stages. In an interview with Sky News, Sunak warned that artificial intelligence is growing at a pace that exceeds current expectations and that its full capabilities are not yet understood.
Effective governance of these technologies will be crucial to presenting a united front against economic and strategic challenges from rivals. Sunak emphasized the possibility of combining the United Kingdom’s vast resources and expertise to foster growth while keeping citizens safe in the future. The leaders will also discuss Ukraine’s situation and the alignment on Ukraine’s next Secretary General, a topic of interest within NATO and the broader Western alliance. The United Kingdom’s defense leadership has signaled a clear interest in maintaining a robust NATO posture and a cooperative stance with allied partners.
Red carpet
This visit marks the fifth occasion Sunak and Biden have met on American soil since Sunak took office. It is framed as an effort to restore harmony between the two nations after a turbulent period characterized by political upheaval in Britain. Sunak’s success in negotiating matters such as the Northern Ireland Protocol has earned attention from the Biden administration, which values continued alignment with the European Union. The visit signals a shared willingness to move forward and maintain momentum in the bilateral relationship as the year advances.
Another notable moment will be the diplomatic backdrop, with Sunak staying at a residence renowned for its prestige during the visit. The leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference on Thursday, outlining the outcomes of their bilateral discussions before the visit concludes and signals a path back to stronger ties between the United Kingdom and the United States.