British Prime Minister Boris Johnson dispatched his top diplomat and foreign trade minister to Washington in the hopes of fast-tracking a post-Brexit trade deal.
With Johnson determined to ensure Britain leaves the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal, striking some kind of trade accord with the Trump administration has taken on even greater importance.
The American president, who sees a like-minded leader in Johnson, has said that trade between the two countries could multiply once Britain leaves the EU and spoke to the British prime minister about a deal within days of his taking office last month.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said he was “delighted” to meet Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
“We appreciate the President’s warmth and enthusiasm for the UK-US relationship. The UK looks forward to working with our American friends to reach a free trade deal that is good for both countries, and cooperating on the common security challenges we face,” Raab said in a statement.
Raab was due to hold talks with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo at the State Department and with Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Britain’s International Trade Secretary Liz Truss meanwhile has lined up meetings with top American trade officials.
“Negotiating and signing an exciting new free trade agreement with the US is one of my top priorities,” said Truss.
“Having already laid the groundwork, we are fast-tracking this deal so that businesses are able to take advantage of the golden opportunity to increase trade with the US as soon as possible,” she added.
“The US is our biggest trading partner and we have more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies. We want to get formal talks moving quickly.”
