Earlier this year, the UK left the European Union. Apart from the crucial trade deal with the EU authorities, London is now negotiating a bilateral trade deal with the US. Nevertheless, the UK is in no hurry to strike a deal which jeopardizes its interests. In fact, London is unwilling to compromise on the protectionist rhetoric of the White House. “We’re not going to rush into a deal and there is no deadline. We will be tough in pressing our interests,” Elizabeth Truss, the UK Secretary of State for International Trade, told a parliamentary committee. Donald Trump’s administration has already set the motto Make America great again in motion. The White House has slapped tariffs on British steel, banned lamb imports, and threatened London with higher tariffs on cars. In response, the British trade minister targeted the US administration for advocating free trade but restricting import access.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Truss said that the trade talks with the US were progressing at a good pace, though some vital chapters still have to be finalized. “The US talks a good game about free trade and low tariffs. But the reality is that many UK products have been kept unfairly out of their markets,” she added. “Let me be clear. I am not going to strike a trade deal with the US, unless all these points are dealt with. No deal is better than a bad deal,” the trade minister commented on the official stance.
