Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Reeves said she would support efforts to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers in the U.K. and U.S.
“I think that can be a bilateral process between our two countries to remove those remaining trade barriers that do exist, and if we work on that basis there is a deal to be done that will benefit industry both in the UK and the US and jobs in our countries as well,” she said.
A spokesperson for the U.K. prime minister was tight-lipped when questioned about the reports, but refused to rule out lowering tariffs on U.S. automotive imports as part of a trade deal.
“We’re having trade talks with the U.S. to seek to reduce barriers to trade between the U.K. and the U.S. so I’m not going to get ahead of those talks,” they told reporters. “But obviously we’re having constructive discussions with the U.S.”
However, the spokesperson stressed that animal food standards were a “red line” for U.K. negotiators, suggesting the U.K. would not back down on a ban on imports of hormone-treated beef.
Meeting Bessent
Reeves is on a three-day visit to Washington D.C. for the International Monetary Fund’s Spring talks.