WATCH LIVE: Biden and Sunak hold news conference during British PM’s first White House visit
PBS NewsHourDec 27, 2022
The Facts
On Thursday, US Pres. Joe Biden and British PM Rishi Sunak signed the Atlantic Declaration, an economic partnership related to advanced technologies, clean energy, and critical minerals, during Sunak’s official visit to the White House.
The declaration, which falls short of a full trade deal, binds the two countries to ease trade barriers, protect data, cooperate on artificial intelligence, and tighten defense-industry ties.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The Atlantic Declaration consists of numerous agreements that could benefit the UK, but many of them are aspirational at present. More importantly, regardless of how he spins it, Sunak hasn’t delivered the free-trade agreement Conservatives promised. This will be a tough sell back home.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Atlantic Declaration takes the necessary steps to reinforce the relationship between the US and the UK. The two countries will collaborate in several realms and will strengthen supply chains. Sunak’s party might have fallen short of free trade, but it’s just not a viable goal in the face of the current global challenges.
