Biden, British PM Sunak talk about Ukraine, AI, financial system at White House assembly

President Biden and U.Ok. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met on the White House Thursday to shore up financial ties and talk about methods to assist Ukraine repel Russian invaders.

Mr. Biden mentioned the connection between the international locations is in “real good shape” and in contrast the assembly to historic ones between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, although mentioned challenges are on the horizon.

“The global economy is undergoing the greatest transformation that has occurred since the Industrial Revolution,” Mr. Biden mentioned.

Underscoring the fast change, the U.Ok. plans to carry a worldwide synthetic intelligence summit within the fall that can convey collectively researchers and tech corporations and talk about methods to watch dangers from AI.

Mr. Sunak, echoing Mr. Biden within the Oval Office, mentioned, “Our economies are seeing perhaps the biggest transformation since the Industrial Revolution as new technologies provide incredible opportunities but also give adversaries more tools for harm. The one thing I know won’t change … is the strength of our partnership, our friendship. We will put values front and center as we’ve always done to deliver for the British and American people.”

Mr. Sunak, 43, is on his first go to to the White House since changing into prime minister in October, though he has met with Mr. Biden a number of instances.

The pair met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 assembly in Indonesia final fall, in Japan on the Group of Seven conferences final month, in Northern Ireland in April and in San Diego in March for a trilateral assembly on protection partnerships within the Indo-Pacific.

Ahead of his journey, Mr. Sunak advised reporters that the U.S. is Britain’s 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,” he mentioned. “That’s why it is so important for a U.K. 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.”

Ukraine is on the heart of the bilateral talks, with Mr. Biden suggesting the nations are on the identical web page.

“Together we are providing economic and humanitarian aid and security systems to Ukraine in their fight against a brutal invasion from Russia,” Mr. Biden mentioned. “As NATO allies we are working together to help provide the collective defense.”

Mr. Sunak mentioned Europe is confronting its largest battle in a half-century.

“And as we’ve done before, the U.S. and the U.K. have stood together to support Ukraine and stand up for the values of democracy and freedom and make sure they will prevail as I know they will,” he mentioned.

On the financial system, Mr. Sunak advised reporters en path to Washington {that a} commerce settlement between the U.S. and Britain has not been a precedence for both nation of late, however they’ll shore up financial ties anyway.

“A free trade deal is not your only tool in the tool kit,” he mentioned.

Mr. Sunak plans to current two presents to Mr. Biden: a customized Barbour jacket and a replica of a ebook by Mr. Biden’s great-great-grandfather Christopher Biden written within the mid-1800s.