The US is the largest destination for UK foreign direct investment, and the UK supports more jobs in the US than any other country in the world, with more than 1.2 million people in America working for British businesses, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office said in a press release.

Economic growth and the creation of better paid jobs is among the five priorities set out by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and minister Rutley will discuss with political and business leaders how the UK and US can boost cooperation in key sectors to make their economies more resilient, create jobs, and protect livelihoods.

Rutley, minister for the Americas and Caribbean, said: “The US and the UK have more than $1 trillion already invested in each other’s economies and our relationship drives growth and supports millions of jobs.

“We’re working in partnership to take full advantage of the rich bounty of business opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The UK is strengthening trade ties with individual states across the US, in parallel to work with the federal government, and has already signed memoranda of understanding with Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.

Active engagement with other states, including Texas, Utah, and California, is ongoing to sign further arrangements which will make it easier and cheaper for US and UK companies to do business with each other, added the release.

During his time in the Midwest, minister Rutley will hold bilateral meetings with leading state-level political and business figures.

In Ohio, minister Rutley will also attend the 91st annual US Conference of Mayors in Columbus, which will take place June 2–5, 2023, where he will meet with key political figures to showcase how the UK can work with cities across the country in building trading relationships that can help drive regional economic growth.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)