This week we commemorate the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our liberty on D-Day, 75 years ago.
As leaders prepare to gather here from across the world, it is fitting that we begin with a celebration of the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States – enduring partners who stood side by side on that historic day – and every day since.
For generations, at the heart of the transatlantic alliance has been our shared democratic values, our common interests and our commitment to justice.
It is that unity of purpose that will preserve the deep-rooted ties between our people and underpin our nations’ security and prosperity for the next 75 years and beyond.
So I am very pleased to welcome the President of the United States of America on this State Visit to the United Kingdom.
For the past two and a half years the President and I have had the duty and privilege of being the latest guardians of this precious and profound friendship between our countries.
As with our predecessors, when we have faced threats to the security of our citizens and our allies, we have stood together and acted together.
When Russia used a deadly nerve agent on the streets of our country, alongside the UK’s expulsions the President expelled 60 Russian intelligence officers – the largest contribution towards an unprecedented global response.
And, in Syria, when innocent men, women and children were victims of a barbaric chemical weapons attack, Britain and America, along with France, carried out targeted strikes against the regime.
Since we spoke about NATO during my first visit to the White House we have maintained our support for this crucial alliance.
Thanks in part to your clear message on burden-sharing, Donald, we have seen members pledge another $100 billion, increasing their contributions to our shared security. And I’m pleased to announce that NATO will soon be able to call on the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and F-35 fighter jets to help tackle threats around the world.
Today we have discussed again the new and evolving challenges to our security, our values and our way of life.
We share the same view about their origin and our objectives in meeting them.
But – like Prime Ministers and Presidents before us, and no doubt those that will come after – we can also differ sometimes on how to confront the challenges we face.
I have always talked openly with you, Donald, where we have taken a different approach – and you have done the same with me.
I have always believed that cooperation and compromise are the basis of strong alliances, and nowhere is this more true than in the special relationship.
Today we have discussed again the importance of our two nations working together to address Iran’s destabilising activity in the region and to ensure Tehran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon.
Although we differ on the means of achieving that – as I have said before, the UK continues to stand by the nuclear deal – it is clear we both want to reach the same goal.
It is important that Iran meets its obligations and we do everything to avoid escalation which is in no-one’s interest.
Recognising our nations are safer and more prosperous when we work together on the biggest challenges of our time, I also set out the UK’s approach to tackling climate change, and our continued support for the Paris Agreement.
And we also spoke about China, recognising its economic significance and that we cannot ignore action that threatens our shared interests or values.
As we have deepened our cooperation on security – including our joint military operations, and our unparalleled intelligence-sharing – so our economies too are ever more tightly bound together.
Every morning 1 million Americans get up and go to work for British companies in America. And 1 million Britons do the same for American companies here.
Our trading relationship is worth over £190 billion a year and we are the largest investors in each other’s economies – with mutual investments valued at as much as $1 trillion.
Mr President, you and I agreed the first time we met that we should aim for an ambitious free trade agreement when the UK leaves the EU.
And from our positive discussions today I know that we both remain committed to this.
I am also sure that our economic relationship will only grow broader and deeper, building on the conversations we had and the ideas we heard from UK and US businesses when we met them earlier today.
Tomorrow we will sit down in Portsmouth with our fellow leaders to reaffirm the enduring importance of the western alliance and the shared values that underpin it.
And as we look to the future – in the years and in the generations ahead – we will continue to work together to preserve the alliance that is the bedrock of our shared prosperity and security – just as it was on the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago.
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