UK's Sunak-Biden pledge to cooperate on AI, others issues
Technology
The deals will facilitate cooperation in AI, Defence, Economy among other things
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said their countries would partner on advanced technologies, clean energy and critical minerals as they strengthen a historical security alliance.
Biden and Sunak signed the "Atlantic Declaration," which Sunak described as a first-of-its-kind economic partnership on artificial intelligence and other economic and commercial relations, as the British leader made an official visit to the White House.
Britain and the United States' long-standing military and security partnerships have strengthened amid Russia's war in Ukraine and China's more aggressive posture in Asia, but a much-hoped-for free trade agreement has not materialized.
"Our economic partnership is an enormous strength - a source of strength that anchors everything that we do together," Biden told reporters.
"I know some people have wondered what kind of partner Britain would be after it left the EU," Sunak said, announcing the new deal. "I'd say, judge us by our actions. We're as committed to our values as ever, as reliable of an ally as ever, as attractive an investment destination as ever."
Britain exited the EU on Jan. 31, 2020. Sunak, who took office last October after a period of unprecedented political instability in the country, has pushed to strengthen trading ties between the U.S. and UK, despite the bleak prospects for a post-Brexit free trade agreement.
Biden will ask Congress to rewrite the Defense Production Act to treat British suppliers with some of the favorable terms afforded domestic suppliers.
Biden and Sunak also launched negotiations on a critical minerals agreement that could allow electric vehicle minerals produced in Britain to count towards tax credits for clean vehicles offered under Biden's Inflation Reduction Act.
That law's made-in-America bent has frustrated U.S. allies from London to Seoul, and Biden is holding separate talks on the topic with EU leaders.
