Gordon Brown is in Washington this week for his first meeting with Barack Obama since the US President took office in January. Top of the agenda for the discussions on Tuesday was the London Summit in just over four weeks where the British Prime Minister hopes for agreement on a 'global new deal' that would lay the foundations for sustainable economic recovery and usher in a new era of international partnership.

President Obama last week made a clear and public commitment to work with other countries to tackle the crisis. In his keynote address to a joint session of Congress on 24th February, President Obama highlighted coordination between the members of the G20 as a key response to the crisis.

He said: 'We are working with the nations of the G-20 to restore confidence in our financial system, avoid the possibility of escalating protectionism, and spur demand for American goods in markets across the globe. For the world depends on us to have a strong economy, just as our economy depends on the strength of the world's. As we stand at this crossroads of history, the eyes of all people in all nations are once again upon us - watching to see what we do with this moment; waiting for us to lead.'

Writing in the Sunday Times of London over the weekend, Mr Brown said there was no challenge so great or so difficult that it could not be overcome by America, Britain and the world working together. A global new deal should aim to reach 'from the villages of Africa to reforming the financial institutions of London and New York – and giving security to hard-working families in every country.'

He specified six elements that should form part of a programme of internationally co-ordinated actions:

• Universal action to prevent the crisis spreading, to stimulate the global economy and to help reduce the severity and length of the global recession.
• Action to kick-start lending so that families and businesses could borrow again.
• All countries renouncing protectionism, with a transparent mechanism to monitor commitments.
• Reform of international regulation to close regulatory gaps so shadow banking systems had nowhere to hide.
• Reform of our international financial institutions and the creation of an international early warning system.
• Coordinated international action to build tomorrow today – putting the world economy on an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable path towards future growth and recovery.

During Mr Brown’s visit to Washington, he will also meet Vice-President Joe Biden and will be addressing both Houses of Congress on Wednesday.