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Wilbur Ross spoke about the prospect of a deal between the two world superpowers in the coming months, saying that trade talks between them are progressing well without “insurmountable” problems emerging. Britain has been locked in crisp Brexit talks with the European Union for much of this year, with Boris Johnson’s October 15 deadline for reaching an agreement on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). But negotiations have also been ongoing with Washington, with a fifth round of talks, many of which have been held largely due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic, which is set to begin later this month.
An optimistic Ross said a deal is unlikely this year, but expressed “very little doubt” that both sides will reach an agreement in the new year.
Ross added that agricultural standards remain one of the key points after the four rounds of talks, as the United States wishes to be able to sell agricultural products in Britain using standards that the EU had not allowed.
But he insisted that there are no major issues that have seen either of the two negotiating teams declare “I’m putting down the pencil.”
The US chief of commerce told The Daily Telegraph: “Much progress has been made in getting texts and we have certainly clarified some differences, certainly clarified some points of agreement.
“Ambassador (Robert) Lighthizer (the US Trade Representative) and I and others believe that it is not as likely that we will have an agreement by the end of December.
“But as to whether we will get a deal, I have very little doubt.”
However, Republican Ross warned that trade talks would certainly be delayed if Joe Biden wins the election and takes office at the January 20 inauguration.
He said that the Democratic presidential candidate who faces Trump first would have to appoint his own trade representative, secure that person’s approval by the Senate, and potentially obtain new negotiating targets between the United Kingdom and the United States signed by him. Congress.
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Commenting on the possibility of Biden defeating Trump in the presidential election in a move that could ultimately turn the tide of the trade talks, he added: “If there were a big change in direction, it would be a very major setback in time and perhaps in the background “.
While Ross insisted that “a lot of progress has been made”, sticking to the political calendar is a completely new matter, as Britain has been unable to hold trade talks legally as it officially left the EU on January 31 this year.
Ross added: “Even for a really quick trade deal, a year and a half goes by in the blink of an eye.”
Despite his optimism that a trade deal will be signed in the new year if Trump succeeds next month, the U.S. chief of commerce would not set a timetable on which a deal would be signed.
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He said: “The important thing is not what day is signed. It will be a day of celebration, but it is not important.”
“The important thing is that we are on the right track, there does not seem to be any insurmountable problem that has arisen so far and, therefore, directionally we are in a good place.
Ross also praised the relationship between Johnson and Trump, describing it as “excellent” because they both share several similar personality traits, notably their ability to take on the opposite side in trade talks.
He said, “I think Boris Johnson, personality-wise, and the president have more similarities with each other than we say they had with Ms. Theresa May,” Ross said, referring to the former prime minister.
“Stylistically they are similar. They are both a bit sassy in their approach to things. Both are willing to take some risks in trading especially.
“Like it or not you have seen some of the initiatives that Boris Johnson has taken in relation to the EU. Those required some courage. The president also has a lot of courage in trade. “
“Now they have both shared this common difficulty of having contracted Covid-19, and there is nothing that brings two people closer together than experiencing common difficulties.”
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