RISHI Sunak has met President Biden in Belfast today as the US President makes a peace tour to mark the Good Friday Agreement anniversary.
The PM and President held one-on-one talks inside the Grand Central Hotel this morning – the third time they’ve held meetings.
The pair were all smiles as they met for coffee earlier today
They are expected to talk about Northern Ireland and the war in Ukraine.
Mr Sunak met him on the tarmac yesterday when he landed from the US amid a huge ring of steel bid to protect him.
Police were seen standing guard and streets were shut in anticipation of the huge security operation.
The US President will deliver a speech at Ulster University later today, and hold informal talks with members of the Northern Irish parties in a bid to push them to come back to Stormont and get the government back up and running.
Earlier today Amanda Sloat, senior director for Europe at the US National Security Council, said it is not anticipated that Mr Biden and Mr Sunak will discuss a free trade agreement.
Onlookers gathered to try and see a glimpse of Joe Biden
The huge police operation outside Biden’s hotel
She said: “I think their conversation is going to focus primarily on the situation in Northern Ireland given that that’s where they’re meeting, as well as the chance to touch base on Ukraine and some other issues.”
She also was forced to slap down claims the President does not hate Britain – saying it was “simply untrue” that he is “anti British” – claims made by the DUP.
DUP’s Sammy Wilson said he “has got a record of being pro-Republican, anti-Unionist, anti-British” and warned him not to “lecture” Northern Irish politicians.
Insisting the UK was one of the US’ closest allies, Ms Sloat said “the fact that the President is going to be engaging for the third time in three months and then again next month and then again in June with the Prime Minister of the UK shows how close our cooperation is with the UK.”
Later he will head on to Ireland to continue his tour, and meet some of his distant cousins.
President Biden arriving off the plane last night
The pair shook hands as they met last night off the plane
Biden and Sunak posed for photos and put their arms around each other as he arrived in the UK last night
