US Trade Representative Says UK Alignment With EU Is Hindering Trade Deal

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the UK has not fully used the autonomy gained from Brexit and has chosen Brussels over the United States in rulemaking, creating a problem for talks on expanding the U.S.-UK trade agreement. According to Sina Finance, Greer said the UK still aligns with EU rules, keeps barriers on U.S. goods, and maintains tariffs that are still relatively high. Greer said the early trade agreement between the two countries was beneficial and a good early harvest, but that negotiations still face sticking points, especially in agriculture and farm products. He said the U.S. agricultural market is open to the UK, while access for U.S. farm products into Britain remains very limited, leaving the United States with a deficit in farm trade with the UK. He also said he wants to see the UK lower tariffs in some areas and questioned whether Britain, if it calls itself a fortress of free trade, should live up to that commitment. Greer’s remarks came as the UK seeks closer ties with the EU, including a planned agreement to remove border checks on food and drink exports to the bloc if it follows strict EU food standards. That arrangement would also block products such as chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef from entering the UK market. The UK government has also rejected the U.S. request to recognize American industrial goods standards, instead choosing to align with EU rules in sectors including autos and chemicals to support trade with Europe. Since the 2025 trade war, the UK has been the first country to reach a trade deal with the United States, securing cuts to punitive tariffs on cars and steel, but a 10% blanket tariff still leaves Britain facing a tougher trade relationship with the United States than before U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term. Greer said he has a good relationship with UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, but the two sides still have differences.