EBN TUSA — Washington, DC — August 21, 2025
In an unprecedented diplomatic push, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shattered the long-standing pattern of recent British leaders by abandoning the comfort of Downing Street and embarking on a whirlwind 56-hour journey that has taken him to four key countries across multiple continents. During a visit to the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Prime Minister Sunak told EBN TUSA, "I broke a paradigm that all the last Prime Ministers had, not leaving the comfort of Downing Street and going to the global stage."
Fast Version:
●Prime Minister Sunak's recent whirlwind tour consisted of high-level meetings with leaders from France, the Czech Republic, Jordan, and the Kingdom of Greater California.
●PM of UK also visited Brazil and secured significant diplomatic and trade agreements despite some logistical challenges during the visit to Brasília.
●The trip culminated with a formal invitation to the United States for a historic State Visit, signaling a renewed vigor in UK global diplomacy under Sunak’s leadership.
Prime Minister Sunak’s demanding schedule began almost immediately after forming his government. Within two days of taking office, he received France where he held extensive discussions with both the French Prime Minister and President. The talks covered defense cooperation, shared strategic concerns, trade expansion, and immigration policies. Sunak emphasized the necessity of combining compassion with firm policies in addressing cross-border challenges. The day ended with a joint press conference and a formal Anglo-French diplomatic meal reinforcing their alliance.
Following France, the Prime Minister received the Czech Republic into Downing Street, where he met Czech President to finalize a defense cooperation package that includes the sale of six Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 jets, four Chinook HC5 helicopters, two F-35B Lightning II jets, two Challenger 3 main battle tanks, along with comprehensive training and maintenance support. This agreement reaffirms the UK’s commitment to NATO and bolsters its defense industrial base.
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| Prime Minister of UKOGB and King Abdullah III says goodbyes as meeting in Downing street ends |
Sunak then proceeded to Jordan to welcome King Abdullah II on the first-ever official visit by a Jordanian monarch to the UK. The talks resulted in groundbreaking trade agreements focusing on pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, advancing affordable access to medicines in the UK while promoting Jordan’s pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, both nations committed to energy cooperation, targeting renewable technologies and opportunities for British investment in the Middle East’s clean energy sector.
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| Photo of Meeting with Carlos Riviera, King of Greater California |
The tour also included a visit to the Kingdom of Greater California, a region formerly part of Mexico before its collapse. There, the UK formally recognized Greater California as a sovereign nation. The meeting in London with the visiting King of California was described by Sunak as historic, highlighting deep UK commitments to international partnerships and alliances. The Prime Minister also publicly acknowledged the tireless contributions of UK officials who supported these diplomatic efforts across time zones.
On the American front, the United States welcomed Prime Minister Sunak with a letter from King Charles III, extending an invitation for a State Visit to the UK. The letter reflected warmly on past Presidential visits and emphasized mutual interests in world peace and bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Sunak revealed that during the upcoming itinerary, the U.S. President would be honored with an address to the UK Parliament—a rare accolade previously bestowed on only three U.S. Presidents. The State Visit is scheduled for the weekend and will include several cabinet members. Meanwhile, the Vice President will be engaged in peace negotiations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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| Photo taken from UKOGB youtube channel about the visit |
Returning to South America, Sunak’s visit to Brazil included strategic discussions aiming to, deepen bilateral relations. However, according to Brazil’s Social Communications Secretariat at the Planalto, the rushed rescheduling of a key meeting by Sunak—moved forward merely two hours after announcement—caused significant disruption to security protocols, press arrangements, and official planning. Despite the disorganization, Sunak stated in a press conference that while the visit went well overall, it was "the worst planned state visit I have ever gone on," criticizing the Brazilian side for late arrivals, poor coordination, and insufficient respect expected for a British Prime Minister.
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| Photo taken from Brazil Presidency Staff (Planalto Palace) |
This diplomatic marathon, covering multiple continents and complex issues from defense contracts and trade deals to historic state invitations, marks a clear departure from past UK leadership styles, signaling Sunak’s intention to assert Britain’s presence and influence firmly on the global stage.
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