24 September 2019

Financial Times: Donald Trump and Boris Johnson talk up trade deal potential

Donald Trump promised to deliver a “magnificent” US-UK trade deal after Brexit as he met Boris Johnson in New York on Tuesday, but there were signs the rhetoric was starting to run into political difficulty. 

The British prime minister needs a trade deal with the US to demonstrate the supposed “opportunities” of Brexit, but is beginning to feel the heat domestically from those who claim he would sacrifice British interests. 

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leader, told his party conference in Brighton that any deal would be “one-sided” and leave Britain “at the mercy of Donald Trump”.

“Of course Trump is delighted to have a compliant British prime minister in his pocket,” he said. 

Mr Trump exuded bonhomie at his encounter with Mr Johnson, saying he thought the British prime minister was doing “very well” in spite of his humbling defeat at the Supreme Court. 

Speaking at the UN climate change summit in New York, the US president said: “As the United Kingdom makes preparations to exit the European Union, I have made clear that we stand ready to complete an exceptional new trade agreement with the UK that will bring tremendous benefits to both of our countries. 

“We are working closely with prime minister Boris Johnson on a magnificent new trade deal.” 

However, Mr Johnson has warned Mr Trump that many of the demands from the US in any future trade negotiation will get nowhere, given the political sensitivities in Britain. 

The prime minister said the National Health Service was “off the table”, in an attempt to quell fears that the NHS could gradually be opened up to US companies. 

At the same time Mr Johnson has suggested that certain US foodstuffs would continue to be banned in Britain, including hormone-treated beef, chlorine-dipped chicken or genetically modified food. 

“When we do a free trade deal, we must make sure that the NHS is not on the table, that we do not in any way prejudice or jeopardise our standards on animal welfare and food hygiene in the course of that deal, and that we open up American markets,” he said. [...]

Full article on Financial Times (subscription required)

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