US & UK sign Atlantic Declaration - Agree to increase cooperation in AI, energy, mineral & economic sectors

Washington – The US and the UK have signed the Atlantic Declaration to strengthen further the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were present at the ceremony in the White House of the United States on Thursday. Under the Atlantic Declaration, the US and the UK have agreed to increase cooperation in the economic sector with artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, green energy, critical minerals and defence. With the hurdles to a free trade agreement between the two countries signing of the Atlantic Declaration has become significant.

China’s growing threat and the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US has been trying to broaden the alliance of its friendly and partner countries. On this background, President Biden and the then British Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed on the New Atlantic Charter before the G7 meeting in the UK two years ago. Later, high-level meetings were held in both countries to enhance cooperation in various fields. The meeting of the Heads of State of both countries on Thursday and the signing of the Atlantic Declaration have been considered the result.

British Prime Minister Sunak endorsed the Atlantic Declaration as a new economic partnership for a new era. Under the Atlantic Declaration, Sunak shared information about investing $17.5 billion in US-UK technology and other important sectors. US President Biden said their partnership had reached new heights so that the US and the UK stay ahead in the world’s changing environment.

The US and UK have discussed the free trade agreement for the last few years. However, there have been sharp differences between the two countries on the issues of tax exemption and certain sector concessions. Meanwhile, the present administration of the US is angry over the UK’s decision to exit the European Union and the provisions of the Brexit Deal. Hence, the discussion of the trade agreement has been surrounded by difficulties, and on this issue, the ruling Conservative Party of the UK has been constantly surrounded by questions. In such a situation, the consensus on the Atlantic Declaration relieves the Sunak government.

During the Second World War in 1941, the then-Head of State of the US and the UK signed the Roosevelt-Churchill Atlantic Charter. Thus, this incident is the foundation of the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries.

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