Gov't Releases Statement Following Latest UK-US Trade Talks

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has released the following statement at the conclusion of the fourth round of official FTA talks between the UK and US.

• Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/negotiations-on...
• "Significant progress has been achieved since launching negotiations in May 2020, and most chapter areas are now in the advanced stages of talks."
• "Shortly before the fourth negotiating round both sides exchanged their first tariff offers, allowing a series of detailed market access discussions to be held during the round."
• "Both sides reiterated their commitment to continue negotiations at pace throughout the Autumn in advance of the US Presidential elections."
• Next round of talks to take place in mid-late October.
• Sword of Damocles hanging over the FTA talks in the form of the prospect of a Biden win in the presidential election, following his warning earlier in the month regarding the potential impact of the UK Internal Market bill on the Good Friday Agreement and how if the Northern Ireland peace process were seen to be risked in any way it would automatically scupper any UK-US FTA.