The US trade representative, Jamieson Greer, has criticised Britain for failing to exploit Brexit freedoms, accusing it of aligning with EU rules and effectively favouring Brussels over Washington on trade. Speaking to the Financial Times, he said the UK repeatedly deferred to what the EU would say before agreeing to accept American-standard goods, a stance he called "challenging" for the US. His comments come as Britain pursues closer post-Brexit ties with both the EU and US simultaneously, highlighting tension between the two relationships.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled a desire to move closer to Brussels, telling Parliament that Brexit has damaged the UK and promising a deal to scrap border checks on food and drink exports to the EU. Such a deal would require Britain to maintain strict EU food standards, which would continue to block US products like chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-raised beef from the UK market, while the UK has also resisted recognising American industrial standards. Despite the friction, Greer said he had a good relationship with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and hoped for an early US-UK trade deal, though agriculture remains a key sticking point given the US's limited access to UK farm markets. Separately, reports suggest Canada is seeking closer trade ties with Britain under the "CANZUK" concept amid its own trade dispute with Washington.