A top trade official in Donald Trump's administration has stated that the United Kingdom is failing to capitalize on its withdrawal from the European Union, asserting that Britain is choosing to align with EU rules rather than pursue a more robust trade relationship with the United States.
Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, has accused the UK of not taking full advantage of Brexit, arguing that its adherence to EU regulations effectively closes its market to American goods. "That's how we interpret it... based on my conversations with the UK, where I say, 'Hey, you're free of the EU. Why don't you liberalize a little bit, accept goods made to American standards, accept agricultural goods made to American standards?' And they say, 'Well, we have to wait and see what the EU says about it.' You know that is a problem for us and that's challenging," Greer told the Financial Times.
When asked if the UK was using Brexit to its advantage, Greer responded, "No, they're not."
Six years after formally leaving the EU, the UK has been seeking to deepen its relationship with the U.S. However, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated an intention to move closer to the EU, stating in Parliament that Brexit has harmed the UK. During a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in London, Burnham committed to working on the "UK's drive to get closer to Europe."
Burnham's government plans to sign a deal aimed at removing border checks on UK food and drink exports to the EU. This initiative, part of a broader "reset" with the continent, would require Britain to comply with EU food standards. The U.S. has long viewed these standards as protectionist and detrimental to its interests. Consequently, many American products, such as chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-raised beef, are not permitted for sale in the UK, and this new deal would effectively prevent their importation.
The UK has also resisted U.S. demands for the recognition of American industrial goods standards. Despite these challenges, Greer noted a "good relationship" with UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and described the prospect of an early trade deal as "beneficial to both sides" and a "good early harvest."
Greer identified agricultural and farm goods as the primary "sticking points" in ongoing trade talks between the two nations. "The UK has had free access into the U.S. agricultural market, where we've had very limited access on the U.S. side into the UK agricultural market," he stated.
Meanwhile, Canada is reportedly exploring expanded trade links with Britain, seeking to diversify its partnerships amid ongoing trade disputes with the U.S. Sources suggest a "historic opportunity" for the UK and Canada to strengthen trade ties, particularly as both nations have experienced estrangement from their largest trading partners, the U.S. and the EU, respectively. Canadian diplomatic sources have expressed optimism about preliminary discussions with Burnham's new government, sensing a "real openness and desire to move on that."