Labour chairs of key committees call for MPs to be given vote on American deal

The Labour chairs of the foreign and trade committees have called for parliament to have a vote on any UK trade deal with the US.

- Eleni Courea

Emily Thornberry, who chairs the foreign affairs committee, and Liam Byrne, who chairs the business and trade committee, said MPs should have a say on the deal ministers are hoping to strike with Donald Trump.

The government is hopeful of finalising an agreement that would exempt the UK from some of Trump's most punishing tariffs, including on cars and pharmaceuticals, after positive signals from Washington.

Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said yesterday that the US would be announcing its first deals "very soon" and the vice-president, JD Vance, said this week that there was a "good chance" of the US agreeing one with the UK.

But ministers have offered controversial concessions, including slashing the digital services tax on big US tech companies and reviewing the enforcement of online safety laws, as part of their negotiations.