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London once viewed a free trade deal with the United States as
the one of the biggest prizes for leaving the European Union.
But hopes of a quick agreement were dashed when the Biden
administration put all free trade talks on ice.
At a G20 meeting, Sunak said he "didn't discuss the trade deal
in particular" with Biden, but had spoken about economic
cooperation, particularly on energy.
"I am filled with optimism about our ability to do more trade
with the U.S., to deepen our economic relationship. That can
happen in lots of different ways," Sunak told a news conference.
Trade minister Kemi Badenoch was in Washington this week and
said it was "no secret" Britain wanted a comprehensive
free-trade agreement with the United States.
But with talks over a trade deal on ice, London and Washington
have instead settled for a strategic dialogue to expand the
trading relationship and a focus on signing memorandums of
understanding with individual states.
Sunak has indicated he will take a different approach to trade
deals to his predecessor Liz Truss, who was prime minister for a
few weeks but set the tone for Britain's negotiations as trade
minister.
Following criticism of the deals Britain has struck since
leaving the EU, Sunak has said he will not rush talks with
countries like India. Talks with India did not yield a deal by
the Diwali deadline set by former prime minister Boris Johnson.
"My approach will be one where we don't sacrifice quality for
speed," Sunak said, adding he remained "committed to" getting a
deal with India. "I want to take the time to get trade deals
right."
(Reporting by Kate Holton and Alistair Smout in London, writing
by Elizabeth Piper)
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