NEW YORK — On the eve of her arrival in New York for the U.N. Normal Meeting, Liz Truss admitted a U.Ok. commerce cope with america is unlikely to occur for a few years to come back.
The British prime minister, who flew to the U.S. immediately after attending Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, instructed journalists on the airplane in reply to a query on commerce: ”There [aren’t] presently any negotiations going down with the U.S. and I don’t have an expectation that these are going to begin within the quick to medium time period.”
She mentioned her “primary problem” for dialogue with U.S. President Joe Biden was “world safety and ensuring that we’re in a position to collectively cope with Russian aggression.”
The pair are anticipated to satisfy Wednesday as world leaders assemble on the U.N. headquarters.
Accession to the Complete and Progressive Settlement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and securing a cope with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are Truss’ prime commerce targets, she mentioned when pressed on a timeframe.
A U.S.-U.Ok. commerce deal was as soon as trumpeted as a post-Brexit prize by politicians in London however now appears a really distant prospect with the Biden administration unwilling to maneuver earlier than the subsequent presidential election, if in any respect.
The British authorities has lengthy been managing expectations on this entrance, however Truss’ feedback marked the frankest admission but that such an settlement is past their attain.
A No. 10 official mentioned Truss’ change of message mirrored “the truth that Biden shouldn’t be doing any offers.”
They added that the U.Ok. didn’t need the supply of a deal to be a “sword of Damocles” hanging over negotiations on the Northern Eire protocol, which the U.S. may withdraw if Washington objected to the British place.
Truss’ aides pointed to U.S. state-level offers already struck, which thus far quantity solely two: Indiana and North Carolina, whereas a strategic partnership compact has been signed with the state of Georgia.
Downing Road confirmed Truss was nonetheless aiming for a Diwali deadline — late October — for an settlement with India, one thing U.Ok. companies have warned towards.
Business leaders worry Truss may rush right into a cope with New Delhi for the sake of a “fast win” as she seeks to regular Britain towards a backdrop of financial turmoil.
This text is a part of POLITICO Professional
The one-stop-shop answer for coverage professionals fusing the depth of POLITICO journalism with the facility of expertise
Unique, breaking scoops and insights
Custom-made coverage intelligence platform
A high-level public affairs community
