Rishi Sunak comes to Biden to discuss Ukraine, economy and artificial intelligence

(Patria) - The war in Ukraine is at the top of the agenda for UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who began a two-day trip to Washington carrying a message that London, after Brexit, remains an essential American ally in a world of emboldened authoritarian states, AP reported. The US and UK are the two largest military donors to Ukraine, and the war will be the focus of Sunak's meeting on Thursday at the White House with President Joe Biden. These countries are leading players in efforts to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, and talks will likely include additional air defense measures as Ukraine launches a counteroffensive.

Sunak began his visit by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, highlighting the military ties between the US and UK. This is Sunak's first trip to Washington since taking office in October, but his fourth meeting with Biden in as many months. The two leaders met at the Group of Seven summit in Japan, in Northern Ireland, and at a trilateral defense meeting with Australia in San Diego.
During his visit to Washington, Sunak will advocate for closer economic ties between the US and the UK, arguing that economic cooperation is as crucial for security as defense alliances. "Just as interoperability between our armies has given us an edge on the battlefield over our adversaries, greater economic interoperability will give us a crucial advantage in the coming decades," Sunak said ahead of the talks.

A UK government official who reviewed Sunak's plan on condition of anonymity said Sunak wants to discuss ways to protect supply chains from hostile actors and how to ensure China does not corner the market and production of semiconductors and other key components. Sunak, who dreams of creating a British Silicon Valley, will discuss the promises and dangers of artificial intelligence. He wants the UK not to be excluded from talks between the US and EU on the topic. Sunak has floated the idea that the UK could be a hub for regulating the rapidly developing technology, although no major news on that front is expected during this trip.

Sunak will likely lobby for his defense minister Ben Wallace to become the next NATO chief after Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg steps down in September. Sunak spoke on Capitol Hill with congressional leaders, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and was scheduled to meet with American business executives.