UK's Sunak to meet Biden in Washington next week: Downing Street

The National Times - UK's Sunak to meet Biden in Washington next week: Downing Street

UK's Sunak to meet Biden in Washington next week: Downing Street / Photo: © AFP

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will meet US President Joe Biden in Washington next week for talks, Downing Street announced on Tuesday.

Change text size:

Biden invited Sunak to the White House when the British leader was in San Diego in March for the launch of a nuclear submarine deal with Australia.

Next week's meeting will build on talks the pair have had about closer cooperation on economic challenges such as supply chain security and net zero transition.

"It will also be an opportunity to discuss issues including sustaining our support for Ukraine," Sunak's official spokesman told reporters in London.

Sunak has carried on Boris Johnson's staunch support for Kyiv since Russia's invasion last year, announcing the supply of long-range missiles.

Biden followed up by supporting the provision of advanced F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine at the recent G7 leaders' summit in Japan.

Overshadowing the talks will be the unresolved issue of a free-trade deal between the two countries, which London sees as a key prize since leaving the EU.

Sunak's spokesman said that was not on the agenda. The UK has already signed trade agreements with North Carolina, South Carolina and Indiana.

It is also seeking closer trading partnerships with US powerhouses California and Texas, and is in discussions with Utah and Oklahoma.

Before the G7, Sunak last met Biden when the US leader visited Northern Ireland for the 25th anniversary of the 1998 peace deal.

Biden has criticised the UK for its stance on post-Brexit trading rules in Northern Ireland, warning it could undermine the hard-fought peace.

Sunak, who hosted Biden's wife Jill at a Downing Street coronation tea-party, is expected to be at July's NATO leaders summit with the US president.

L.Graham--TNT

ANC’s Renewal Rhetoric Fades as Voters Reject Party in 2026 Local Elections

After nearly twenty years of official pledges to reverse internal decay and restore public trust, the African National Congress (ANC) faces a stark reality check following the 2026 local government elections. The results indicate that South African voters no longer believe in the party's capacity for renewal, marking a significant shift from the era when the ANC maintained overwhelming electoral support despite early warnings of structural crisis.

Cuban Diplomat Warns U.S. Blockade Is Severing People-to-People Ties

Cuban diplomat Gabriela Castillo warns that escalating U.S. sanctions are severing vital human connections between the two nations, particularly affecting academic exchanges and longstanding solidarity with African American communities. She argues that political coercion is inflicting collective punishment on Cuban civilians while erasing opportunities for mutual understanding.

Home Affairs Deploys AI to Clear Asylum Backlog Amid Staffing Crisis

The South African Department of Home Affairs has launched a new digital platform utilizing artificial intelligence and biometric technology to overhaul the country’s asylum process. The initiative aims to resolve a severe operational bottleneck, as only nine officials were managing thousands of outstanding appeals at the start of the current administration. Officials warn that registering an intention to apply does not grant automatic protection against immigration enforcement.

Ian Borg Honoured by Palestinian and Arab League Ambassadors for Palestine Support

Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg has been presented with a commemorative plaque by the ambassadors of Palestine and the Arab League to Malta. The honour recognizes his support for Arab causes during his tenure as Foreign Minister, particularly regarding Malta’s formal recognition of the State of Palestine.