Dominic Raab hails Donald Trump’s ‘warmth and enthusiasm’ after surprise meeting with the US president and VP Mike Pence in Washington to discuss a post-Brexit trade deal
- He met the US leaders in Washington on a whistle-stop tour of North America
- Mr Raab said: ‘We appreciate the President’s warmth and enthusiasm for the UK-US relationship’
- Boris Johnson insists a Transatlantic trade agreement will be a Brexit benefit
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.
It is a major relations boost for the new UK top team as they seek to boost UK trade after Brexit.
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
Boris Johnson (pictured in Downing Street with the King of Jordan today) 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.
‘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.’
MailOnline understands that the meeting with Trump came during the Foreign Secretary’s sit down with Mr Pence at the White House.
Mr Raab is also due to sit down with US National security Adviser John Bolton in Washington, the Foreign Office said.
Trade Secretary Liz Truss, who met US Ambassador Woody Johnson last month (pictured), is also in the US pushing for a trade deal
He flew into the US capital following talks on Tuesday in Toronto with Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland and is due to travel on to Mexico following his meetings in the US capital.
The Foreign Secretary is not th eonly Cabinet minister attempting to woo the Americans this week
Trade Secretary Liz Truss is in Washington to meet figures including secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross.
Tomorrow she is due to give a speech at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.
Ms Truss said: ‘Negotiating and signing an exciting new free trade agreement with the US is one of my top priorities.
‘Having already laid the groundwork, we are fast-tracking this deal so that businesses are able to take advantage of the golden opportunity to increase trade with the US as soon as possible.’
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.’