Boris Johnson today vowed to drive a ‘hard bargain’ with the US as the government sets out its trade demands.
The UK is pushing for a Transatlantic deal at the same time as negotiating a new relationship with the EU – in the hopes that will increase pressure on Brussels to offer good terms.
Ministers are due to publish the mandate for talks with Washington later, and are hoping that a deal can bring a £3.4billion boost for the economy by reducing friction and boosting investment.
But Mr Johnson is also facing pressure from unions not to ‘cosy up’ to Donald Trump and make concessions on issue such as food standards in his haste to cut a deal.
The government says it wants to open up opportunities for British businesses and investors in the US through a free trade pact, but insists the NHS will not be up for grabs.
The British team also wants to guarantee high standards and protections for British consumers and workers, including on animal welfare.
Boris Johnson (pictured left yesterday) has been warned not to ‘cosy up’ to Donald Trump (right at the White House yesterday) in looming trade talks
Ahead of the mandate being formally revealed, Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: ‘In a trade deal with the US, we will not diminish our food safety standards and we will also not put the NHS on the table.
‘If we don’t get the deal we want we will be prepared to walk away.’
Mr Johnson said: ‘We have the best negotiators in the business and of course, we’re going to drive a hard bargain to boost British industry.
‘Trading Scottish smoked salmon for Stetson hats, we will deliver lower prices and more choice for our shoppers.
‘Most importantly, this transatlantic trade deal will reflect the unique closeness of our two great nations.’
The talks will take place in parallel alongside the bartering with the European Union over a post-Brexit relationship.
Ministers have repeatedly faced demands to rule out chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef being imported from the US in any deal, with animal welfare and environmental concerns raised.
Labour accused ministers of making ‘false promises’ over commitments to protect the NHS and standards.
Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said: ‘This is a Government that has sought, at every opportunity, to resist efforts to lock in our high standards and to ensure robust protections for our NHS.
‘Their false promises are meaningless – they have said they won’t undercut our food standards while briefing that chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef are perfectly acceptable.
‘That is why there must be a full and proper scrutiny process for this and all trade agreements.’
The Department for International Trade (DIT) said it expects manufacturers of ceramics, cars, food and drink, and professional services to be among the British industries to benefit the most from tariff-free access to the US market.
Crawford Falconer, DIT’s chief trade negotiation adviser and formerly New Zealand’s chief negotiator, will oversee talks on the UK side.
Negotiating rounds will alternate between the UK and US.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: ‘Striking ambitious free trade agreements with our partners around the world is one of the key opportunities of Britain becoming an independent trading nation once again.
‘This deal with our biggest single trading partner will cut red tape for our small businesses, cut tariffs for our great products from dairy to cars and increase growth in all four nations.’
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the Government should be ‘focused on getting a good trade deal with the EU – not cosying up to Donald Trump’.
‘A bad trade deal with the US will put working people’s jobs and rights on the line,’ she said.
‘And it will undermine our vital public services, environment and food standards. ‘Nobody voted for chlorinated chicken or for US corporations to have more access to our personal data.’
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss (pictured) said striking trade deals was one of the main benefits of Brexit
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it was ‘encouraging’ to see overarching ambitions in the negotiation mandate, due to be published in full on Monday, to make it simpler for skilled workers to cross the Atlantic for work.
CBI director general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn said: ‘The UK is beginning a brand-new chapter in its global future, and a good trade deal with the US is a vital part of that story.
‘It’s encouraging to see the Government’s ambitions to make it easier for skilled people to move between the UK and US, support small business exporters and future-proof any agreement around industries of the future.
‘The US and UK already share the world’s largest bilateral investment relationship; now is the time to use it as a springboard for new jobs and investment here at home.’
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said a great deal of its members were ‘enthusiastic’ about the prospect of closer trading ties with such a major economy.
Following Britain’s divorce from Brussels in January, it is now free to strike global trade deals.
Foreign Office Minister Wendy Morton was dispatched to Uruguay and Argentina on Sunday, with trade one of the items on the agenda.