|
Critics of the negotiations have raised concerns about the
possibility of U.S. firms carving out parts of the NHS and
selling food products, such as hormone-treated beef, which are
currently prohibited.
"The government remains clear on protecting the NHS and not
compromising on the UK's high environmental protection, animal
welfare and food safety standards," trade minister Elizabeth
Truss said after a second round of talks with Washington.
Truss last week accused the United States of talking "a good
game" on free trade while keeping many British exports out of
its markets.
On Tuesday, she said the talks were "positive and constructive"
but she reiterated that London was not in a rush to get a trade
deal with the United States.
"The government is clear there is no set deadline for this
agreement," she said. "Quality is more important than speed."
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in January that he
was optimistic the United States and Britain would strike a
trade deal this year.
U.S. President Donald Trump is keen for progress on trade talks
before November's presidential election, while in Britain the
prospect of a deal has been held up by Brexit supporters as one
of the rewards of leaving the European Union.
Truss reported "good progress" on a chapter in the talks for
small and medium-sized businesses and said Britain had stressed
the need for an ambitious deal for its huge financial services.
On business services, both sides discussed how regulators could
work more closely on qualifications and licensing. There was
also discussion of ways to help the legal services sector.
A third negotiating round is expected to take place at the end
of July, Truss said.
(Reporting by Kate Holton; Writing by William Schomberg; Editing
by Paul Sandle and Nick Macfie)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
