Baseball diplomacy: Will British PM Rishi Sunak throw out the first pitch at Nats park on Wednesday?
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is arriving in Washington this week for talks with President Joe Biden on economic ties and support for Ukraine.
But the discussion between the British official has revolved around one question for days: will Sunak throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park on Wednesday night, when he is the guest of honor on a UK-US friendship day?
Insiders say it would be an opportunity to literally meet America on its own turf. But DailyMail.com learned that Number 10 officials faltered when they realized the magnitude of the occasion in a ballpark that can hold more than 40,000 fans.
No one wants a repeat of Dr. Anthony Fauci in 2020, who landed nowhere near home plate.
Or the time President Barack’s “mom jeans” took center stage when he gave the honors for the 2009 All-Star Game.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will visit Washington this week. He’s known to be a keen cricketer (saw her when England’s cricket team visited number 10, Downing Street in March), but his officials are hesitant to let him throw the first pitch at Nats Park on Wednesday.
When President Barack Obama threw out the first pitch prior to the All-Star Game in 2009, coverage focused on whether his “mom jeans” prevented him from throwing a strike
Still, Sunak, 43, should have the arm for it. He was known as a decent cricketer in his day.
And at age 83, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi will throw the first pitch a day early on Tuesday.
If she can do it, why not a leader four decades younger than her?
“Baseball is an opportunity to engage Americans on their own turf,” said a British official familiar with discussions.
Throwing the field is a true honor in American culture and would be a historic first for a British prime minister.
‘Let’s see. No final decision has been made.
“The Prime Minister is known as a keen cricketer and is well up to the task. But there is also a beautiful American tradition of letting a community hero speak on your behalf.’
The ball park event – featuring a military flyover by US and UK military units, ceremonial military performances by the Royal Marine Corps of Drums and the Washington Tattoo, as well as the singing of “God Save the King” alongside the “Star Spangled Banner” – was planned months ago.
The ballpark event includes a military flyover by US and UK military units, ceremonial performances by the Royal Marine Corps of Drums and the Washington Tattoo, as well as the singing of “God Save the King” alongside the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Biden and Sunak have met many times since the British Prime Minister took office, including in San Diego in March when the outlined greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
It was just a diary coincidence that meant Sunak could be there. He is making his first official visit to Washington since becoming prime minister in October.
His government is eager to build better relations with Washington and forge closer economic ties as London finds its new place in the world after leaving the European Union.
British officials and ministers have also been quietly trying to bolster US support for Ukraine over fears that America First Republicans in Congress could cut off supplies of arms and ammunition.
At the same time, Sunak’s Defense Secretary, Ben Wallace, is one of the possible contenders to take over as NATO Secretary General when Jens Stoltenberg steps down. Sunak will know that US support is essential to win the post, raising questions about whether the prime minister intends to use his visit to the White House to lobby Biden.
“The visit will be an opportunity to build on the discussions the Prime Minister and President Biden have had over recent months about improving the level of cooperation and coordination between the UK and the US on the economic challenges that will shape our future.” Sunak’s spokesman said when the trip was announced.
“There will also be an opportunity to discuss issues including continuing our support to Ukraine.”
But at times relations between the UK and Biden are strained.
Biden and Sunak shared tea during the president’s visit to Northern Ireland in April
In April, a White House official was forced to deny that Biden was “anti-British” after the president spent just over half a day in the British province of Northern Ireland before traveling south to spend more than two days in the British province of Northern Ireland. Republic of Ireland.
Sunak offers a chance for a reset after populist Boris Johnson, who was close to Donald Trump, and the chaos of Liz Truss’ short time in Downing Street, among others.
In fact, a graduate of Stanford University, Sunak knows the US well and seems to have got off to a good start with Biden.
The president even asked for a tour of the house the prime minister still owns in Santa Monica when they met in California in March.
This will be Sunak’s fourth meeting with Biden in as many months.
The British official said Sunak will also meet business and political leaders at Wednesday’s baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Downing Street’s focus has rightly been on agreeing new economic initiatives that will deliver results for Britain,” he said. “But I expect there will be some attention to the first pitch debate.”
The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.