US and UK discuss 'mini' post-Brexit trade deal

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US trade representative Robert Lighthizer has suggested the US is close to a 'mini trade deal' with the UK that could lead to the removal of some tariffs.


The US and UK have held discussions on a light trade deal that would remove tariffs on some products after the end of the Brexit transition period and before president Donald Trump leaves office.

This is according to US trade representative Robert Lighthizer, who said in an interview with BBC News that this could involve the dropping of punitive tariffs the US has imposed on imports such as Scotch whisky.

Earlier this month, the UK announced that once it is free to set its own duties from 2021, it will unilaterally remove tariffs on a range of US products, which were recently imposed by the EU as part of a long-running dispute with the US over subsidies for aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus.

However, the US has said it does not consider this to be a concession, as the UK would have "no authority" to continue applying these tariffs once it breaks from the EU.

Instead, Washington is said to be pushing the UK to make concessions on the separate issue of steel and aluminum tariffs, as well as duties currently imposed on US bourbon imports.

Mr Lighthizer said he is "hopeful" the two sides can come to an agreement before Mr Trump leaves office on January 20th.

He added: "We have the advantage in that both the US and the UK - particularly the current government of the UK - are not big subsidizers, where some other countries are more inclined to subsidize. So it would be helpful if we could come to some kind of agreement."

The trade representative also emphasized the US is still keen to secure additional access to UK agricultural markets as part of any deal.

"These are complicated technical issues. And they're the kinds of things that will be worked out, I think, in the final stages of negotiation," Mr Lighthizer continued, estimating that these issues could be sorted out in as little as two to three weeks.