| answer text |
<p>The UK is committed to negotiating an ambitious free trade agreement with the United
States as soon as we have left the European Union.</p><p> </p><p>The President and
Prime Minister have made clear on a number of occasions their shared commitment to
an ambitious, wide-ranging free trade deal that reflects the strength of our bilateral
relationship. We welcome the publication by the US Administration of their negotiating
objectives for a free trade agreement with the UK as well as the President’s positive
public comments during the recent state visit.</p><p> </p><p>Although we cannot enter
into negotiations with the US until we leave the EU, there is still much that we can
do to lay the groundwork for an ambitious deal. This includes:</p><p> </p><p>Completing
our domestic UK processes so that we are ready to start negotiations;</p><p> </p><p>Continuing
our conversations with the Office of the US Trade Representative to prepare for live
negotiations. These conversations are well advanced, including through the UK/US Trade
and Investment Working Group, which has now met five times since it was established
in July 2017. The most recent Working Group in November 2018 involved over 100 officials
on each side.</p><p> </p><p>In parallel, work has taken place between our governments
to ensure continuity of trade with the US, notably the UK-US Mutual Recognition Agreement,
the UK-US ‘Open Skies’ Air Services Arrangement, and Wine and Spirits Agreements signed
in recent months.</p><p> </p>
|
|
