The two leaders also discussed “unwavering support for the people of Ukraine,” Biden told reporters at a joint conference with the British prime minister.
Biden and Sunak signed the “Atlantic Declaration,” which Sunak described as the first economic partnership of its kind, charting a path for future cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and other economic and trade relations.
“I know some have wondered what kind of partner Britain will be after it leaves the European Union,” Sunak said. “I said – judge us on the basis of our actions. We are committed to our values as always, a reliable ally as always, and an attractive destination for investments – as always”.
Biden and Sunak joked, but also spoke seriously about the relations between the former leaders of the two countries, while announcing what the topics of conversation will be, including artificial intelligence and Northern Ireland, as well as common economic and security interests, including those in Asia.
The meeting, their fourth in four months, comes as Western officials try to determine whether Russia is responsible for the destruction of the Nova Kahovska dam, which has displaced thousands of people and caused massive economic and environmental damage. Ukraine and Russia blame each other for the destruction of the dam.
Biden and Sunak answered questions at a joint news conference after the meeting, an opportunity not afforded to every world leader who visits the White House, officials said.
“The thought of the conversations our predecessors had in this room, when they had to talk about the wars they fought together, the peace they fought for together, inspires awe.“, Sunak told Biden and added:
“Once again, for the first time in more than half a century, we are faced with war on the European continent, and as was the case before, the US and Britain stand together in support of Ukraine.”
Sunak joked that he would not do to Biden what the British Prime Minister from the World War II era, Winston Churchillallegedly did while walking around the White House in the middle of the night, as a guest of the president Franklin Ruzvelta.
Sunak brought Biden two gifts, a personalized jacket from the company Barbor, and a book written in the 19th century by one of Biden’s ancestors.
Biden and Sunak last met in Hiroshima, Japan, at the Group of 7 summit. They also met in Belfast in April and San Diego in March, at a trilateral meeting dedicated to marking the trilateral defense partnership of the US, Australia and Britain.
Sunak told reporters that the issue of artificial intelligence security was also mentioned in the talks, stating that Britain will host the first summit on this issue in the fall to consider how risks due to artificial intelligence can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action.
Sunak pushed for a boost in trade between Britain and the US, keen to show progress after the Biden administration ruled out any quick free trade deal between the two countries, post-Brexit.
In the absence of a larger trade agreement, Britain has reached deals with individual countries, and Sunak expressed hope for more such “targeted agreements.”
It is also expected that Sunak tried to get Biden’s support for the choice of British defense minister Bena Valasa for the next NATO Secretary General.
The British leader visited the Capitol on Wednesday, where he met with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders.
He said the new alliance would help London and Washington protect supply chains and maneuver in a global economy where emerging powers “manipulate global markets, deny key resources and attempt to control industries that will define our future.”
