UK to open trade talks with US before EU negotiations

BORIS JOHNSON is expected to open trade talks with the US before he begins discussions with the EU, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

US diplomats believe Mr Johnson is poised to seek Cabinet approval to open talks directly with America, with civil servants drawing up advice for ministers on the “pros and cons” of starting US trade talks before EU negotiations, The Telegraph understands.

A UK Government source who has seen the advice said the Us-first argument was to show: “We mean business and we’re not messing around.”

A source briefed directly on plans in Washington said the US was “impatient to get started”.

The Telegraph understands all the “chapter heads” covering individual sections for a deal have been appointed and “matched” with their US counterparts for an accelerated process.

The Cabinet decision will be followed by the publication of UK trade negotiation objectives within two weeks which the US side will then take a fortnight to respond to ahead of a political launch.

“There is so much political will on both sides for this. The understanding is that the first talks round will come very rapidly after the two-week review period, which could mean as early [as] late February,” said the source.

The Brexit and trade Cabinet committee is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss objectives for both deals.

The EU warned its trade mandate will not be formally adopted until Feb 25 with a view to talks starting in March. In recent days it has set out its objectives, hardening demands for the UK to follow EU rules on tax, state aid and the environment in return for a “zero-tariff ” Free Trade Agreement.