Later today the US President is to announce a trade deal between Britain and America.
Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social he will hold a conference at 3pm UK time on Thursday to announce a “major trade deal with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country”.
On Tuesday Trump’s most senior trade advisor Peter Navarro said is expects the UK to be the first to sign a trade agreement with the US.
He said, “I don’t know if it’s going to be the UK first or India first, it’s — we’ve got a little twist in the in this India story, so that might slow things down there, but I can assure the American people that there will be deals, and they will be very good deals for the American people.”
British Defence Secretary John Healey said, “What this talk does remind us is that the US is an absolutely indispensable ally to the UK on economic security and national security.”
The Financial Times said the trade deal will protect car and steel exports and the UK will make concession on a new “digital tax” and will lower tariffs on America’s farming products.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said talks have been “continuing at pace” and Sir Keir Starmer will provide an update “later today.”
She continued, “The Prime Minister will always act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business, for families.
“The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security. Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace and the Prime Minister will update later today.”
Healey told Times Radio, “It’s certainly true that the US is an indispensable ally for the UK, both on economic and national security grounds. It’s also true that since the Prime Minister visited the White House in February we have been in detailed talks about an economic deal.
“But I have to say, throughout that period, ministers like me have been keen to give the negotiations the space to get the best possible deal for the UK.
“So, we just haven’t been giving a running commentary on developments or timelines, so I’m not going to start now.”
