President Joe Biden said the “special relationship was in ‘very good shape’ as he welcomed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to a smoky White House on Thursday.
It is the fifth time the two leaders have met since Sunak took office in October.
But Biden still managed to botch the presentations.
“Well, Mr. President,” he began before correcting himself. ‘Mister President? I just promoted you.
Sunak laughed at the gaffe as Biden continued, “Mr. Prime Minister, it’s great to see you again.”
Sunak makes his first visit to the White House.
President Joe Biden welcomed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to the White House on Thursday. They were to discuss economic ties, Ukraine and artificial intelligence
Biden, 80, has been frequently accused of snubbing the UK in favor of Ireland, the land of his ancestors, and has botched the pronunciation of Sunak’s name in the past.
Sunak arrives on a mission to build better ties as his country seeks to find its new place in the world after leaving the European Union.
He came armed with gifts, handing the president a personalized waxed jacket. The $400 navy Barbour Bedale jacket was made near the Sunak parliamentary constituency in north east England.
He also presented the President with a copy of a book written by his British great-great-grandfather.
“Naval Discipline”, was written by Christopher Biden in the mid-19th century and covers the Royal Navy’s rules on mutiny.
The president mentioned it in a speech during his visit to Northern Ireland in April.
However, US officials have dashed hopes of a free trade agreement between Washington and London.
Instead, their talks will focus on other forms of economic ties, the dangers of artificial intelligence, and Ukraine.
Sunak makes his first visit to the White House since taking office in October
Sunak was the guest of honor at the Anglo-American Friendship Night at the Washington Nationals game on Wednesday night. It included a flyover of American and British planes
“And as we have done before, the United States and the United Kingdom have come together to support Ukraine and uphold the values of democracy and freedom and make sure they prevail, as I know we we will,” Sunak said.
“But I also completely agree with what you said, our economies are perhaps experiencing the greatest transformation since the industrial revolution, as new technologies offer incredible opportunities, but also give our adversaries more tools to harm.”
Biden touched on the history of the Oval Office, including the infamous wartime meetings between the president and the prime minister during wartime.
“You know, Prime Minister Churchill and Roosevelt met here a little over seventy years ago,” he said. “And they claimed that the strength of the partnership between Britain and the United States was the strength of the free world.”
He said there were dozens of stories about Churchill’s visit and his habit of taking baths.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill (L) and President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House
Sunak continued, “Walking around at three in the morning…Winston Churchill disturbing Mrs. Roosevelt.”
‘Don’t worry. You won’t see me bothering you and the first lady.
His government is keen to build better relations with Washington, forging closer economic ties as London finds its new place in the world after leaving the European Union.
After the turmoil of recent years – when Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss have all come and gone from number 10 in quick succession – Sunak intends to represent a more stable presence.
British officials and ministers have also quietly tried to bolster US support for Ukraine, fearing that top US Republicans in Congress will cut arms and ammunition supplies.
Meanwhile, Sunak’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is among the potential candidates for NATO Secretary General when Jens Stoltenberg steps down. Sunak will know that American support is essential to winning the job, raising questions about whether the prime minister plans to use his visit to the White House to pressure Biden.
