PM lays down his US tr ade deal red lines
BORIS Johnson last night set out a shopping list of goods he wants to export to America – including our traditional pork pies.
The Prime Minister – who was accused of telling porkies in the run-up to the Brexit referendum – insisted that Melton Mowbray’s finest delicacy should be included in any deal.
He also wants cauliflowers, shower trays and railway carriages to be allowed into the US free of tariffs and other restrictions.
But the NHS is not on the table in trade negotiations as he meets US President Donald Trump for breakfast today.
And Mr Johnson dismissed fears that big pharmaceutical firms across the Atlantic are poised to prey on the most lucrative parts of Britain’s precious National Health Service.
Speaking as he flew to a G7 summit of Western leaders in Biarritz, France, Mr Johnson set out red lines for a transatlantic trade pact after his promised Brexit on October 31.
The Tory leader said: “Of course I think it’s a massive opportunity for Britain, but we must understand that it is not all going to be plain sailing and that there remain very considerable barriers in the United States to British businesses which are not widely, readily understood.
“It is very, very important if we are going to do a fantastic free trade deal that is a free trade deal that works in the interests of British business.”
Mr Johnson explained: “We have sold 250,000 shower trays around the world but some kind of bureaucratic obstacle stops us selling them in the US because they’re allegedly too low.
“Wallpaper, pillows and other fabrics have to be fire-tested again when they arrive in the United States rather than being automatically admitted.
“There are tariffs on railway carriages in the US of 14 per cent whereas we only have a tariff of 1.7 per cent in the UK on American railway carriages.
“It’s not just beef or lamb that is currently banned from entering the US.
“In spite of their commitment to overturn that prohibition in 2014, not a morsel of British beef has entered.
“Melton Mowbray pork pies which are sold in Thailand and in Iceland are currently unable to enter the US market because of some sort of
Food and Drug Administration restriction.” He also cited curbs on cauliflowers, peppers, insurance and British wines as areas he wants to tackle with Mr Trump.
“There are massive opportunities for UK companies,” said Mr Johnson.
“We intend to seize those opportunities but they are going to require our American friends to compromise.” The PM vowed: “There are sectors of the UK economy, obviously, not least the NHS, which will remain completely off limits so far as any trade deal with America goes. We will not allow the NHS to be on the table at all.”
Last night the Remainer campaign group Best For Britain said: “This is all pie in the sky from the Prime Minister.
“His wish list won’t even make it on to the negotiating table. We’re not going to get any favours from Donald Trump.”
Before flying to France, Mr Johnson got involved in a spat with EU president Donald Tusk, who he will meet today.
Protesting
Mr Tusk, who previously suggested there is “a special place in hell” for Brexiters without a plan, warned: “I still hope Prime Minster Johnson will not like to go down in history as ‘Mr No Deal’.”
Mr Johnson hit back: “If Donald Tusk doesn’t want to be known as Mr No Deal Brexit, then I hope that point will be borne in mind by him too.”
The Prime Minister later larked about on a photocall with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte and posed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Thousands protested against economic and climate policies nearby, with a handful arrested. In Hull, a mural believed to be by artist Banksy appeared showing the PM and
Mr Trump as apes.