US, UK to Start Trade Negotiations This Week

The U.S. and United Kingdom will begin virtually negotiating a trade deal this week, U.K. Trade Secretary Elizabeth Truss said. The talks, which have been expected for months (see 2002190021, 2003020061 and 2001280042), will start through video conferences, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative told Politico May 3, and will be held remotely until international travel resumes. In a May 3 tweet, Truss said the U.K. will “be working to bring benefits to all parts of [the U.K.] and boost our economies during #coronavirus recovery.” The USTR did not comment.

The Information Technology Industry Council applauded the start of negotiations, saying the COVID-19 pandemic “makes it all the more important that like-minded governments work together to deepen their economic relationships.” A U.K.-based trade group, techUK, said the U.S. “is one of our most important partners for both exports of UK technology and inward investment” and called on the two sides to “aim for progressive, ambitious digital trade provisions.” The U.K.’s Labour party expressed concerns that the deal will unfairly benefit U.S. industry. “Labour will insist that any proposed trade deal is subject to proper scrutiny, and we will not let the interests of the British people be sacrificed to boost the profits of US corporations,” the party said May 2.