US, UK launch post-Brexit trade negotiations by videoconference amid COVID-19

While UK is currently struggling in establishing an agreement with European Union, United States and Britain have launched post-Brexit tre negotiations via videoconference on May 5. According to reports, start of talks between US and UK came as both allies are currently struggling to rectify impact of coronavirus outbreak and shift supply chain of domestic products. This would also be first major tre negotiation for Washington in 2020, but London and Brussels still remain at odds with ir demands with future relationship after 11-month transition period ends. 

According to reports, US Tre Representative Robert Lighthizer has t revealed much about talks with UK since last year. US h laid out stern objectives of its US-UK tre negotiations seeking full access to American agricultural products and plunge in tariffs for US goods to restate ‘Buy American’ campaign so that countries do t rely upon on China for medical and or supplies.

Agriculture is reportedly going to be one of most challenging issues between both countries because UK opposes genetic modification of crops, antibacterial treatment for poultry that takes place in US. Even UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to le “hard bargain” and British International Tre Secretary Liz Truss has vowed to t compromise of standards of food safety. 

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'Disappointing' UK-EU talks

Meanwhile, UK-EU talks began amid global health crisis. After an initial delay in setting timeline for meetings, when discussions did begin, EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier called talks ‘disappointing’. Barnier h also said that in a bid to fulfil timeline proposed by Britain, re needs to be ‘genuine progress’ in post-Brexit talks and a decision on extending 11-month transition period by June.

However, UK has reportedly said that ‘limited progress’ h been me in talks expressed need to move ahe in negotiations in ‘constructive fashion’. Both sides will reportedly hold two more rounds of talks before transition period ends in December. Barnier has said that joint decision on extending period will be taken by June 30.

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(With ncy inputs)