Published

June 07, 2023

Share

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce welcomes the visit of U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Washington and urges the two governments to seize the opportunity to enhance our bilateral commercial relationship. 

Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, stated, "The strategic, economic, and cultural ties that bind our two countries are profound and the Chamber is committed to fostering even deeper bonds as we enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. and U.K .economies. We are delighted that President Biden is hosting Prime Minister Sunak and encourage the two leaders to prioritize resumption of talks on a bilateral trade agreement. Conclusion of a high standard deal would yield tangible benefits for workers, consumers, and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic and is long overdue.” 

Clare Woodman, Chair of the Chamber’s U.S.-UK Business Council and Head of EMEA and CEO at Morgan Stanley & Co. International Plc, underlined, "As a leading voice advancing economic cooperation between our two countries, the U.S.-UK Business Council is delighted that the Prime Minister is in Washington working with President Biden to advance our shared prosperity. Increased trade and investment between the United States and the United Kingdom will create jobs, drive growth, and advance innovation for businesses across both countries.”

U.S.-U.K. economic ties are already robust, with the two-way investment relationship directly creating over 2.7 million jobs and bilateral trade in goods and services worth nearly $250 billion annually.

The Chamber believes the two countries should build on this success and work together to achieve our mutual priorities including: fostering unwavering support for Ukraine now and after the war is won, implementing effective responses to shared challenges from non-market economies, strengthening energy security, investing in sustainability, and promoting shared leadership on AI and the digital economy.

This week’s meetings should also provide greater clarity on envisioned next steps for the bilateral Dialogues on the Future of Atlantic Trade, the Comprehensive Dialogue on Technology and Trade, and U.S.-UK Energy and Security and Affordability Partnership. Critically, both governments must work better together with industry and other civil society actors to ensure these frameworks deliver actionable results which expand economic opportunity.

The U.S.-UK Business Council looks forward to advancing this important dialogue at its inaugural U.S.-UK Trade and Competitiveness Forum in Washington this September. More details will be announced shortly.