UK PM Sunak set to visit US in June at Biden's invitation
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In light of the recent tripartite talks with the UK, US, and Australia, Biden invites Sunak to Washington.
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President Joe Biden meets British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Naval Base Point Loma, Monday, March 13, 2023, in San Diego. (AP)
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has announced that he will visit Washington in June at the request of US President Joe Biden.
Sunak told reporters on Monday that "it's great that we're going to see each other a lot over the next few months. I was pleased to accept the president's invitation to visit him in DC in June," following a trilateral AUKUS meeting in San Diego, the Sky News broadcaster reported.
For his part, Biden expressed the intent to visit Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the broadcaster reported, adding that the details of the visit will be revealed.
Read next: Australia to buy US nuclear-powered submarines in new pact
This comes after US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Australian PM Anthony Albanese revealed, at an AUKUS summit in San Diego, the map-out of their plan to establish a new fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines within the AUKUS framework.
The plan entails the US' provision of three American Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia in the 2030s. Biden clarified after the announcement that he is not concerned about China's opinion.
Read more: US to increase military presence in Australia, invites Japan
Australia will buy as many as five US nuclear-powered submarines and later build a new model with US and British technology under a plan to strengthen the AUKUS Western alliance across the Asia-Pacific against rising China, a US official said on Monday.
The Australian Department of Defense explained that “Australians have already commenced training and working on UK and US nuclear-powered submarines and in UK and US facilities,” adding that it would lead to the creation of 20,000 jobs over the coming 30 years.
