British-US deal 'only the first step' towards free trade agreement

THE TRADE deal between the US and Britain was “only the first step” toward a more comprehensive free trade agreement, Republican insiders said last night.

- By Marco Giannangeli

However, despite Donald Trump’s admiration for Britain and its institutions, it is his economic war with China that dictated the timing.

And it is China, along with his midterm prospects, that will determine whether a fuller deal can be reached before his term as president ends.

“There are many Republicans - and not just those who are avid supporters of President Trump - for whom the strength of the special relationship has been somewhat diluted by Sir Keir Starmer’s overtures to China,” said one seasoned Republican.

The trade deal announcement coincided with last week’s 80th anniversary of VE Day, underscoring the shared wartime history of the two countries.

But in Washington, another moment loomed larger: the two-day US-China talks in Geneva, which began yesterday.

The meeting between US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and China’s Vice-Premier He Lifeng is the first formal contact between the two powers since Mr Trump returned to office.