Trump trade envoy warns London is choosing 'Brussels over America': report

White House Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Britain on Friday that despite Brexit, it was choosing "Brussels over America", in an interview with the Financial Times. He said this posed "a problem" for Britain's goal of expanding a trade deal struck with President Donald Trump's administration last year.

Is the UK choosing Brussels over America?

Greer said the UK is not using the freedom Brexit gave it to diverge from EU rules and align more closely with US standards instead. He told the Financial Times that when he pushes Britain to accept American goods, officials say they must first wait and see what the EU decides.

Why is Britain's EU alignment a problem for the US trade deal?

Greer's comments come as new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham looks to build on predecessor Keir Starmer's efforts to forge closer post-Brexit cooperation with the European Union. Greer told the FT that when he asks UK officials to accept goods made to American standards, including agricultural products, they say they must wait and see what the EU decides. "You know that is a problem for us and that's challenging," he said.

During a visit to London this week, French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris and London "remain open to discussing everything, including advancing the UK reset with the European Union". A crucial summit between the EU and Britain is expected before the end of the year.

What has Andy Burnham said about Brexit and the EU?

Burnham told journalists on Wednesday that since Brexit, "people here are fed up with the [lack of] vision, people see that we need to work closer together". He also told parliament this week that Brexit had contributed to sluggish UK economic growth.

His comments signal a shift in tone from Downing Street, as the new prime minister positions closer EU ties as central to reviving Britain's economy.

Has Trump changed tariffs on UK goods?

Trump and Starmer announced a trade deal in May 2025 that saw Washington lower tariffs on British luxury cars and on steel and aluminium, after the US president unleashed a barrage of tariffs on countries around the world.

The British government insisted that a related deal to allow in more US agricultural products, including ethanol and beef, would not dilute British food standards. That reassurance came amid concerns over chlorinated US chicken and hormones in US beef.

Britain has also reached a separate deal to avoid US tariffs on medicines, by agreeing to pay higher prices for certain drugs.