Nick Thomas-Symonds comments on reports that negotiations for a UK-US free trade deal will not restart until 2025

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Labour's Shadow International Trade Secretary, commenting on reports that negotiations for a UK-US free trade deal will not restart until 2025 at the earliest, said:

"The news there will be no trade talks, let alone any formal negotiations, with the US until at least 2025 is the final confirmation of the failure of the Conservatives to deliver on trade.

"In 2019, the Conservatives promised to the British people that they would secure a comprehensive free trade deal with the US by the end of 2022, yet the prospect of even starting negotiations has never seemed further away.

"It is little wonder that the OBR predicts UK exports will fall by 6.6 per cent in 2023, a £51bn hit to the economy, undermining growth and making the cost of living crisis even worse.

"Labour has a plan to boost exports in every part of the UK, to help deliver on our Mission of securing the highest sustained growth in the G7."

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Notes to editors:

• 'Exclusive: US trade deal talks won't start until 2025 at the earliest' - Daily Telegraph