Americans are tough trade negotiators, Boris Johnson says
Sputnik news agency and radio 12:07 GMT 08.11.2020
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday suggested that with Joe Biden at the helm of the US, "there's a good chance" of the two countries bolstering bilateral cooperation.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reiterated that he sees Washington as London's closest and most important ally, in remarks that come a day after major American news networks projected Joe Biden as the winner of the 3 November US presidential election.
"But on the trade deal with the US, I'm a keen student of the United States' trade policy and they're tough negotiators", Johnson told reporters on Sunday.
He noted that he had "never believed that this was going to be something that was going to be a complete pushover under any US administration", adding, "I think there's a good chance we'll do something".
The statement followed Johnson congratulating Biden on his projected election win on Saturday, describing the US as the UK's most "important ally".
"[...] And I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security", the prime minister tweeted, also extending congratulations to Biden's running mate Kamala Harris on what Johnson dubbed as "her historic achievement".
The remarks come a month after US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told The Telegraph that there are no "unsurmountable" issues related to trade talks between London and Washington, which he said are progressing well.
Ross stressed at the time that he had "very little doubt" that both sides would finally conclude a trade deal, which he said could be signed next year if President Donald Trump wins the 3 November election.
Ross added that there were no issues prompting each of the negotiating teams to say, "I'm putting down my pencil", even though the sides are still at odds over agricultural standards after four rounds of talks.
London and Washington have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal since the start of the year, following the UK's departure from the European Union.
Britain has not concluded any bilateral trade agreements for the last 40 years while within the bloc and it has been struggling to negotiate one with its NATO partner, amid disagreements over food standards and allowing American agricultural products into the UK.
