UK minister: Next Round of UK-US Trade Talks to Begin on September 8

Britain will hold a new round of talks with the United States on a trade deal next week, Greg Hands, junior trade minister Greg Hands said on Thursday, adding that the government is in talks with the two major American parties ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.

Britain gives priority to concluding a trade agreement with the United States as it seeks to forge new labor relations around the world after its separation from the European Union and its exit from all trade agreements negotiated by the bloc.

“I can announce today that the next round (of talks) will start next Tuesday, the eighth of September,” Hands told Parliament.

The US presidential election in November casts a shadow over expectations of a US deal and the possibility of a new administration taking on new priorities. But Hands sought to downplay those risks.

“In terms of the U.S., clearly … we talk with all parts of the U.S. political system. We make sure that senators, members of Congress, governors from both parties right the way across the United States … buy into a future UK-U.S. free trade agreement.”