By Aaron Miller-
Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden have agreed a new partnership to bolster economic security in response to China’s growing influence.
The Atlantic Declaration announced as the two world leaders who are historical allies, met in the White House includes an elimination of protectionist trade barriers, closer defence industry ties and a data protection deal.
The agreement comes after hopes of a full-blown free trade deal with the US were abandoned, with UK officials insisting the new targeted approach was a better response to the economic challenges posed by Beijing and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Sunak said the Atlantic Declaration “just talks about strengthening, deepening our cooperation” in response to questions whether today’s announced deal amounted to an end of unfettered globalisation
“It’s not about looking in and being protectionist, it’s about the exact opposite of that, and it’s about strengthening that cooperation across the full strength of economic, technological and other spheres. And that’s what you will see. You’ll see it from me”
Biden also made reference to Artificial Intelligence (AI ), describing it as “staggering”. He added: “We are looking to Great Britain to help lead a way through this.. There is no country we have greater faith in to help negotiate our way through this.” Biden also said the US will have the funding needed to support Ukraine for “as long as it takes”.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries, enhancing efficiency, automation, and decision-making processes. However, with its vast potential come risks and challenges that need to be addressed to ensure its responsible, safe and ethical development. Biden did not specify the nature of the assistance he wants with respect the new advanced technology, and the multifarious challenges it poses.
In relation to the Atlantic declaration, Sunak said: “Countries like China and Russia are willing to manipulate and exploit our openness, steal our intellectual property, use technology for authoritarian ends or withdraw crucial resources like energy. They will not succeed.
“Today we have agreed the Atlantic Declaration, a new economic partnership for a new age, of a kind that has never been agreed before.”
He said the partnership “protects our citizens” and includes new US investment for the UK, as he cited £14bn committed this week “creating thousands of jobs”, and highlighted “stronger supply chains” and reduced trade barriers “helping tens of thousands of small businesses”.
Both leaders hailed their commitment to work together on regulating AI, with Biden calling the myriad challenges posed by the emerging technology “staggering”.
The British prime minister had said earlier in the week that the UK would host the first global summit on the issue.
Sunak hailed the UK-US relationship as “indispensable”, adding that the UK and US must co-operate to protect their economic security to counter threats from Russia and China.
Sunak said governments need to approach AI with the “same spirit of urgency” as they do climate change but did not provide any details on how he intends to address the issue.
Both leaders touched on Russia’s war in Ukraine with both Biden and Sunak stressing that it was imperative for Western countries to maintain support for Kyiv.
The US and UK are the two biggest donors to Ukraine’s war effort and play a central role in a long-term project announced last month to train and eventually equip Ukrainian pilots with F-16 fighter jets.
Biden told reporters he was confident that the US Congress would continue to provide Ukraine with the funding it needs despite some hesitation among Republican leaders at the growing cost of the war for American taxpayers.
“The US and the UK have stood together to support Ukraine,” the US president said at the start of the meeting.
The two leaders were asked about the future leadership of NATO after Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s term ends in October.
Sunak has been a vocal supporter of UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for the post, but the prime ministers of Denmark and Estonia are also seen as contenders.
“It may be,” Biden said when asked if it was time for the alliance to have a British leader at the helm. “That remains to be seen.”
He added: “We’re going to have to get a consensus within NATO.