We can sign Trump’s deal a day after Brexit

White House: US and UK can agree trade on November 1

DONALD Trump could sign an immediate trade deal with Britain the day after Brexit, the White House revealed last night.

A senior US administration official said a temporary agreement could come into force on November 1 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on October 31.

The official said the US President and Boris Johnson could sign a road map declaration toward a trade deal when they meet at a G7 summit this month.

Mr Trump is understood to be contemplating meeting the Prime Minister ahead of other European leaders – including French President Emmanuel Macron, who is hosting the gathering – to signal his support for Mr Johnson.

The White House said the two countries were looking at the possibility of a temporary trade agreement that covered all sectors of the economy and could last for around six months. It came as:

The boss of Next said he was no longer scared about No Deal after ministers boosted contingency plans;

Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd also backtracked on claims it would cause ‘generational damage’, arguing the challenge can be met by ministers;

Commons Speaker John Bercow insisted he would fight with ‘every breath’ to halt any attempt to suspend Parliament in the runup to Brexit;

A judge agreed to fast-track a hearing on whether the Prime Minister can legally suspend Parliament to force through No Deal;

Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson and Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson pledged to work together to block No Deal;

Former education secretary Damian Hinds was left red-faced after he accidentally posted an email discussing the possibility of a general election this year.

The White House revealed the plans for an immediate trade deal after US national security adviser John Bolton held talks in London yesterday with Chancellor Sajid Javid and International Trade Secretary Liz Truss.

Mr Johnson, who met Mr Bolton on Monday, said negotiating a post-Brexit trade deal with the US would be ‘a tough old haggle’.

But he said he was confident they ‘will get there’.

The PM, speaking during a visit to Leeds, said he wanted to see trade with countries around the world and with Europe after Britain leaves the EU. ‘We have fantastic opportunities to open that up. Actually the US market is growing very fast for the UK, but they still ban haggis, for Heaven’s sake.

‘In the US there are all sorts of opportunities we have to open up trade – that also goes for companies around the world.

‘But the single biggest deal we need to do is a free trade deal agreement with our friends and partners over the Channel. In my experience the Americans are very tough negotiators indeed, and we will do a great deal with them and it will open up opportunities for UK business, particularly service companies in the US.’

After meeting Mr Johnson, Mr Bolton said the UK would be ‘first in line’ for a deal, possibly on a gradual, ‘sector-by-sector’ basis.

He claimed ‘it might be possible to reach a bilateral agreement very quickly, very straightforwardly’ in some areas of trade.

The comments are a boost to Mr Johnson, who vowed that Britain will leave the EU on October 31 with or without a divorce deal.

Some Brexit supporters believe a free trade deal with the US could help make up for any reduction in trade with the EU after the country leaves. In 2018, Britain did almost half its trade with the EU, while the US accounted for 18 per cent of UK exports and 11 per cent of imports.

The good news from the US came as the Next chief executive said he no longer feared No Deal after Mr Johnson’s contingency preparations. Brexiteer Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise said the worst outcome of leaving without an agreement would be ‘mild disruption’.

His optimistic assessment comes just months after he warned that leaving the EU without an agreement would bring ‘chaos’.

But in a stark U-turn, he declared yesterday that he was ‘much less frightened’ of such a scenario. The Tory peer told Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘We are a long way from disorder and chaos.

‘I think the encouraging thing is we are rapidly moving from the disorder and chaos camp to the well-prepared camp. I should stress I would much prefer a deal to No Deal, but I am much less frightened by No Deal if the Government is prepared – and there is every indication it’s taking it more seriously. I’m very pleased to see that that vigour has now come to government and we are properly preparing for all eventualities.

‘If businesses and the Government prepare well for No Deal then I think the worst outcome will be mild disruption.

‘But the best outcome is we will actually get a better deal.’

Lord Wolfson said the UK had to be ‘prepared to walk away’ to secure the best deal, noting: ‘The vast majority of deals I’ve done in my life, if the deadline has been midnight then the deal has been done at 11.55pm.

‘The reality is... people negotiate right up to the wire. So we’re going to have to have nerves of steel.’

‘It will be a tough old haggle’