Britain will begin formal negotiations with the US on a trade deal next week via video conference after Boris Johnson promises to ‘drive a hard bargain’
- International Trade Secretary Liz Truss will begin the talks by video conference
- More than 100 negotiators will be involved in the first round of negotiations
- These talks will be held in parallel with talks with the EU for a post-Brexit deal
Britain will kickstart formal negotiations with the U.S. on a trade deal next week.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and her American counterpart Robert Lighthizer will begin the talks by video conference.
More than 100 negotiators will be involved in the first round of negotiations that is expected to last a fortnight.
The talks will be held in parallel to discussions between the UK and EU over a post-Brexit trade deal that have already begun.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and her American Robert Lighthizer will begin formal trade talks next week by video conference
Boris Johnson has promised to ‘drive a hard bargain’ in the negotiations with the U.S.
The Government has estimated that a transatlantic deal would boost the UK economy by £3.4 billion and particularly benefit Scotland, England’s North-East and the Midlands.
It has pledged to maintain food standards and said the NHS would not be for sale.
As he set out the UK’s negotiating position for a deal with the U.S. earlier this year, the Prime Minister said: ‘We’re going to drive a hard bargain to boost British industry.
Earlier this year, the Prime Minister said: ‘We’re going to drive a hard bargain to boost British industry.’ Pictured: A photo of Boris Johnson clapping for health care workers outside No 10 issued by Downing Street on April 30
‘Trading Scottish smoked salmon for Stetson hats, we will deliver lower prices and more choice for our shoppers.’
Negotiators had been due to alternate between holding talks in the UK and US, but will now be held virtually using video conferencing technology.
The U.S. is the UK’s largest trading partner after the EU, accounting for nearly 19 per cent of all exports in 2018 and 11 per cent of imports. The EU represented 45 per cent of all exports and 53 per cent of imports.