UK’s Truss calls on like-minded nations to unite against authoritarianism

By Toby Melville

NEW YORK (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Liz Truss will name on like-minded nations to fight authoritarianism collectively, drawing on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to underline the necessity to push again towards these “who weaponise the worldwide financial system”.

Truss, on the U.N. Common Meeting on her first worldwide journey as Britain’s new prime minister, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. She has pledged to match or exceed her nation’s 2022 spending on navy support subsequent 12 months.

She’s going to deal with the United Nations on Wednesday, on the second full day of her journey to New York, which she is hoping to make use of to reset Britain’s so-called particular relationship with the USA after ties soured over Brexit.

Within the U.N. speech, Truss will level to home reforms she hopes to supervise – measures, she says, will provide Britain the “sturdy financial foundations” wanted to constrain authoritarianism by securing vitality independence and safeguarding provide chains.

“The free world wants this financial power and resilience to push again towards authoritarian aggression and win this new period of strategic competitors,” she’s going to say, in line with excerpts from her speech.

“We are going to not be strategically depending on those that search to weaponise the worldwide financial system.”

She’s going to say the Group of Seven financial powers and different like-minded companions should act as an “financial NATO,” collectively defending prosperity and coming to the help of any accomplice focused by an aggressive authorities.

However nations should additionally make investments extra in bodily safety. She’s going to repeat a dedication to extend defence spending to three% of Britain’s gross home product by 2030.

The New York go to is the primary occasion in a number of days of frenzied authorities exercise, when her ministers are anticipated to set out a brand new vitality assist package deal for companies, a plan to assist the Nationwide Well being Service and much-promised tax cuts.

(Reporting by Toby Melville, writing by Elizabeth Piper; Modifying by Frank Jack Daniel)