Biden calls UK Prime Minister Sunak ‘Mr President’ in blunder as they channel FDR and Churchill in talks

President Joe Biden said the “special relationship” was in “really good shape” as he welcomed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to a White House engulfed in smoke on Thursday.

It is the fifth time the two leaders have met since Sunak took office in October.

But Biden still managed to screw up the introductions.

“Well, Mr. President,” he began before correcting himself. Mr. President? I just promoted you.’

Sunak laughed at the blunder as Biden continued, “Mr Prime Minister, it’s great to have you back.”

Sunak makes his first visit to the White House.

Biden, 80, has often been accused of rejecting the United Kingdom in favor of Ireland, the land of his ancestors, and has messed up the pronunciation of Sunak’s name in the past.

Sunak arrives on a mission to build better ties as his country tries to find its new place in the world after leaving the European Union.

He came armed with gifts and presented the president with a personalized waxed jacket. The navy blue $400 Bedale Barbour jacket was made near the parliamentary constituency of Sunak in North East England.

He also presented the president with a copy of a book written by his British great-great-grandfather.

‘Naval Discipline’ was written by Christopher Biden in the mid-1800s and covers the Royal Navy’s rules on mutiny.

The president mentioned it in a speech during his visit to Northern Ireland in April.

However, US officials have dashed hopes of a free trade deal between Washington and London.

Instead, their talks will focus on other forms of economic ties, the dangers of artificial intelligence and Ukraine.

Sunak is making his first visit to the White House since taking office in October

Sunak was the guest of honor at the UK-US friendship night at the Washington Nationals game on Wednesday night. It included a fly-past of American and British aircraft

“And as we’ve done before, the US and UK have united to support Ukraine and stand up for the values ​​of democracy and freedom and make sure they prevail, as I know we will,” Sunak said .

“But I also fully agree with what you said, our economies are undergoing perhaps the greatest transformation since the industrial revolution, as new technologies offer incredible opportunities, but also give our adversaries more tools to do harm.”

Biden brought up the history of the Oval Office, including the famous wartime meetings between the president and prime minister during the war.

“You know, Prime Minister Churchill and Roosevelt met here a little over seventy years ago,” he said. “And they claimed that the strength of the partnership between Britain and the United States was the strength of the free world.”

He said there were dozens of stories about Churchill’s visit and his bathing habit.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill (L) and President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House

Sunak continued, “Wandering at three in the morning … Winston Churchill harasses Mrs. Roosevelt.”

‘Do not worry. You won’t see me bothering you and the first lady.

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.

After the turbulence of recent years – when Theresa May, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss all came and went from number 10 in quick succession – Sunak intends to put in a more stable presence.

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.