Minister plays down fear Biden win would hit hopes of trade deal

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis played down suggestions that relations with the US could be damaged if Joe Biden is elected president because of concerns over the impact of Brexit.

Mr Biden, who goes into next month’s election ahead in the polls, has warned he will not sign a free trade agreement with the UK if the Good Fr i d ay Agreement is undermined by the decision to leave the EU.

Senior Democrats have criticised legislation going through Parliament giving ministers the power to override elements of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement relating to Nor thern Ireland, even though the government admitted it breaches international law.

Mr Biden was vicepresident when Barack Obama warned in 2016 that the UK would go to the “back of the queue” for a trade deal if it left the EU and – unlike Donald Trump – is known to be no fan of Brexit.

Mr Lewis insisted Britain would continue to work closely with the US, whoever won the election.

“We absolutely protect and abide by the Good Friday Agreement. It is absolutely key,” he told BBC One’s the Andrew Marr Show.

He said a decision by EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier to stay on in London this week to continue talks on a postBrexit trade deal was a “very good sign”.

The talks were expected to switch to Brussels but it is reported Mr Barnier is to remain in the UK until Wednesday – in part due to high Covid rates in the Belgian capital. Election latest, Page 26

Brandon Lewis defended the Good Friday Agreement.