Rishi Sunak says he will deliver for Britain as he heads to US to meet Joe Biden
On Thursday, Mr Sunak will become the first British prime minister to address an annual gathering of chief executives from America's biggest companies, known as the Business Roundtable.
Joe Biden greeted by Sunak as he arrives in Northern Ireland
Rishi Sunak has spoken of his “close and candid relationship” with US President Joe Biden as he prepares for a trade-boosting visit to Washington.
The Prime Minister will travel to the US on Wednesday for talks with the President as well as members of Congress and business leaders.
It will be the fourth time the two statesmen have met in as many months.
The Prime Minister swept aside suggestions that the relationship between the two nations is cooling after critics accused President Biden of “snubbing” the UK by failing to attend the King’s coronation last month.
Mr Sunak said: “The US is our closest ally. We are one another’s partner of first resort when it comes to everything from keeping our people safe to growing our economies.
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“That’s why it is so important for a UK prime minister to forge a close and candid relationship with the president of the United States. On every global problem, you will see us working side by side.
“I’m looking forward to seeing President Biden later this week to continue those efforts and to deliver for the British people.”
On Thursday, Mr Sunak will become the first British prime minister to address an annual gathering of chief executives from America’s biggest companies, known as the Business Roundtable. He will highlight the contribution made by their companies to the UK’s £279billion trade relationship with the US.
The PM is also set to attend a special Washington Nationals baseball game which will involve a joint UK-US military flyover, ceremonial military performances by the Royal Marines Corps of Drums and the Washington Tattoo, and the singing of the UK and US national anthems.
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Mr Sunak will be joined at the game by US business leaders and political figures with close links to the UK.
Downing Street says the visit will be an opportunity to strengthen the trading relationship between the two countries and discuss global issues such as the war in Ukraine.
But UK officials privately admit they have given up hope of signing a comprehensive free trade agreement, and point out the US is not forging this type of deal with any country.
Instead, they are focusing on securing smaller agreements designed to open up US markets to British firms over time. This includes convincing the US to recognise British professional qualifications, to allow UK firms to bid for contracts in the US.
The UK is also working on trade deals with individual US states.
