Politics

Betting odds on a US-UK trade agreement almost 50-50 as talks begin on ‘mini-deal’

The US and UK are working to remove tariffs on products such as Scottish whisky

Thursday 17 December 2020 at 08:17

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that a full free-trade agreement with the UK would be more difficult to achieve, due to the US perception that the UK will remain tied to EU rules if a compromise cannot be found in Brexit talks on equivalence
US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said that a full free-trade agreement with the UK would be more difficult to achieve, due to the US perception that the UK will remain tied to EU rules if a compromise cannot be found in Brexit talks on equivalence Photo: Getty Images

The US and UK have begun talks to find a mini trade deal that can reduce tariffs before the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, the US trade chief has said, as the chances of a deal occurring in 2021 remain split.

US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said the two sides of the Atlantic are in discussions over a smaller deal that might remove some of the tariffs that have been recently applied. This could include changes in the price of Scotch whisky or manufacturing parts for aerospace firms.