The new prime minister admitted talks were unlikely to start in the “medium term” as she traveled to New York on her first trip abroad since taking up Downing Street. In a move likely to disappoint Brexiters, she played down expectations that any trade deal was imminent, amid concerns that over-promising but then failing to get talks off the ground would damage her emerging government. On the plane to the US, Truss admitted to reporters: “Right now there are no negotiations with the US and I have no expectation that they will begin in the short to medium term.” It is the first time the government has admitted there is virtually no chance of an early bilateral trade deal being agreed with the US, Britain’s biggest trading partner, despite Brexit supporters wanting it as one of the main possibilities benefits of leaving the EU. Instead, the new prime minister said her priorities would be joining the 11-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, including Australia, Canada and Singapore, as well as striking deals with Gulf states and India. She added that her “number one” focus in talks with Biden at the UN on Wednesday will be global security, especially working with US and European partners to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine. Truss’ relationship with the US president has already been strained by her threats as foreign secretary to destroy Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade arrangements. Biden has warned that peace in the province must not be undermined by the dispute and has been reluctant to strike a trade deal with the UK as a result. British officials tried to disassociate the two issues and pointed to mini-trade agreements signed with individual states, including Indiana and North Carolina, to boost transatlantic trade. At the White House last year, Boris Johnson’s hopes for an early post-Brexit trade deal were dashed after Biden made it clear publicly that it was not on the cards. The former prime minister was left to speak of “steady strides” made on trade after the US began allowing UK lamb imports for the first time in decades. In contrast, former President Donald Trump had promised a “massive” trade deal to shore up Brexit, although Washington insiders had warned he would expect concessions in return. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. During Truss’ two-day trip to New York, she will hold a series of bilateral meetings with other key leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron. It will be the first official meeting between the pair since Truss made comments during the Tory leadership race that the jury was “out” on whether Macron was “friend or foe”. In what appeared to be a softening of her stance, Truss told reporters she wanted to have a “constructive” relationship with France, working with Macron on immigration, Brexit, energy security and Ukraine. However, it is understood the Prime Minister’s tone simply reflected her desire to be diplomatic on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
