Dominic Raab hails Donald Trump’s ‘warmth and enthusiasm’ after surprise meeting with US president

Dominic Raab hailed the ‘warmth and enthusiasm’ of Donald Trump for the special relationship between Britain and America today after a surprise meeting in Washington last night.

The Foreign Secretary met the US president and vice president Mike Pence on a whistle-stop tour of North America as he seek to build support for Transatlantic trade deals after Brexit.

Mr Raab is due to meet his US counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in Washington today but the face time with Mr Trump and his deputy was unannounced beforehand.

Mr Raab said today: ‘We appreciate the President’s warmth and enthusiasm for the UK-US relationship. 

Mr Raab posted this picture after his meeting with vice president Mike Pence in Washington, where they discussed transatlantic trade

Mr Trump met Dominic Raab in Washington last night on the Foreign Secretary’s tour of North America

‘The UK looks forward to working with our American friends to reach a free trade deal that is good for both countries, and cooperating on the common security challenges we face.’ 

Mr Raab is also due to sit down with US National security Adviser John Bolton in Washington, the Foreign Office said. 

Boris Johnson insists a Transatlantic trade agreement will be one of the big benefits of leaving the EU, which he has said must happen by the end of October.

Mr Trump has also voiced enthusiasm for a pact, saying it could boost trade between the countries by a multiple of five.

However, US politicians have warned that Congress is unlikely to sign off on any deal if Brexit has put the peace process in Ireland at risk.

Visiting the UK in June Mr Trump ramped up the rhetoric by demanding the UK ‘gets rid of the shackles’ of the EU so a transatlantic trade deal can be done.  

Stressing his desire for a trade deal, he said: ‘We’re going to get it done.’