America will be ready with a trade deal, says White House

THE United States will be “well prepared” to start negotiations on a post-brexit trade deal with Britain “as soon as” the UK has left the European Union, the White House said yesterday.

Donald Trump, the US President, has formally notified Congress of his intention to initiate negotiations on a trade agreement.

The confirmation that the US is preparing for trade talks with Britain to start immediately after the UK has left the EU on March 29 2019, could embolden the Prime Minister and will be seen by Brexiteers as a new card for her to play as she seeks a deal with the bloc.

Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative, wrote to the Senate and said: “We intend to initiate negotiations with the United Kingdom as soon as it is ready after it exits from the European Union on March 29 2019.”

He used the letter, dated Oct 16, to signal an “ambitious” deal which removes “existing goods and services tariff and non-tariff barriers”. He said preparatory work with Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, was under way.

Last night Dr Fox, at a dinner in the City, said that Brexit offered “a once in a generation chance to shape a better future for our own people, realise the highest ambitions of our businesses, and offer real leadership on free trade in an often uncertain and divided world”.