In a significant development for international relations, the United Kingdom will lead its largest trade mission to the United States, known as Greater Together LA, from May 18 to May 22, 2026. The delegation will be headed by Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, marking a pivotal moment in US-UK economic collaboration.
The Greater Together LA event is expected to attract considerable attention, with a focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The US-UK partnership boasts an impressive investment stock of approximately $1.5 trillion, supporting around 2.6 million jobs across both nations. The trading relationship is valued at $437 billion, underscoring the deep economic ties that exist between the two countries.
During the mission, a two-day thought leadership summit will be held, sponsored by PwC UK, featuring 30 headline voices discussing the theme “Unexpected Connections.” This summit aims to explore new avenues for collaboration and growth, reflecting the evolving nature of the US-UK relationship. The UK Government’s GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign is organizing the expo, further emphasizing the importance of this initiative.
In the backdrop of this trade mission, the UK is also preparing to chair the P5 Process for the upcoming 2026 NPT Review Conference, which will take place from April 27 to May 22 at the United Nations HQ in New York. This dual focus on trade and international security highlights the UK’s strategic priorities on the global stage.
Peter Kyle stated, “Our trade mission to Greater Together LA is championing shared values—innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship—to unlock new opportunities for both our economies to grow and thrive.” This sentiment is echoed by leaders from British Airways and American Airlines, who are both supporting the GREAT campaign to celebrate the creativity and innovation shared by the UK and the US.
Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, remarked, “British Airways is proud to support the GREAT campaign as we celebrate the creativity and innovation shared by the United Kingdom and United States.” Similarly, Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, expressed pride in joining British Airways to strengthen the partnership between the two nations.
As the UK prepares for this major trade mission, the lessons learned from Australian leaders Bob Hawke and Paul Keating are also being considered by the UK Labour party, as they look to enhance their approach to international trade and relations.
With just four weeks remaining until the NPT Review Conference, the UK faces a narrow but real window to help move the P5 from a holding pattern toward a more constructive trajectory. The outcomes of both the trade mission and the NPT Conference could have lasting implications for the UK’s role on the world stage.
