UK Steps Up Efforts for a Trade Deal With US
August 08 2019 - 4:19AM
Dow Jones News
By WSJ City
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government launched a
charm offensive in Washington this week in a bid to secure a trade
deal with the US quickly after the UK leaves the European
Union.
KEY FACT
--- British law makers met with members of the Trump
administration to lay the groundwork for a deal.
--- British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab met with President
Trump on Wednesday.
--- After his meeting, Raab said the UK government is aims to
complete a bilateral agreement with the US.
--- Trade Secretary Liz Truss met with US Trade Representative
Robert Lighthizer earlier in the week.
--- British officials hope more contentious aspects, such as
position of the NHS could be settled and fleshed out at a later
date.
--- The UK is also seeking trade deals with other countries,
including Canada, which Raab visited on Tuesday.
Why This Matters
The fate of such a deal is largely in US hands. A quick deal
could limit the US's ability to use a trade deal to pry open access
to other parts of the UK market, including government procurement,
access to Britain's National Health Service and relaxing British
agricultural standards.
The UK has already held six meetings with US officials to lay
the foundations of a trade a deal. However, under EU rules, the UK
isn't allowed to sign one until it has formally left the bloc. The
British government is considering ignoring this restriction, say
people familiar with the matter, a strategy that would risk harming
relations with the bloc.
A fuller story is available on WSJ.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 08, 2019 04:04 ET (08:04 GMT)
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