US ambassador says ‘massive’ UK trade deal does not look possible under Theresa May’s Brexit plans

Woody Johnson said he detected ‘defeatism’ about Brexit in the UK and said the country was ‘in need of leadership’

The US ambassador to the UK has said the kind of comprehensive trade deal with Britain sought by Donald Trump does not look possible under Theresa May’s Brexit plans.

Woody Johnson cast doubt on whether negotiating a “quick” and “massive” trade deal between the US and UK is feasible if the prime minister’s approach is approved.

He said he detected a “defeatism” about Brexit in the UK and, in words that could be seen as a swipe at the prime minister, said the country was “in need of leadership”.

The ambassador also said the president wanted to be the first world leader to visit the UK after its departure, with May 2019 a possible date for a full state visit.

Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “He [Mr Trump] is looking forward to and hoping that the environment will lead to the ability of the US to do a quick, very massive bilateral trade deal that could be the precursor of future trade deals with other countries around the world for Great Britain that will really take you way, way into an exciting future.

“We are still going through the stages of deciding where exactly the country is going. If it goes in a way that allows these kind of agreements to occur, then I think that will be very positive in the president’s eyes.”

But asked if such a deal would be possible if Ms May’s withdrawal agreement is given the green light, he said: “It doesn’t look like it would be possible.”

Mr Trump has previously said Ms May’s Brexit plans “sounds like a great deal for the EU”.

Her approach would see the UK continue to adhere to a common rulebook with the EU after Brexit, which could mean some US goods do not meet required standards. America would likely push for farm produce, in particular, to be a part of any trade deal.

Mr Johnson also said he thought it was “probably true” that parliament is not providing a clear sense of where the country is going.

He said the country is “in need of leadership” over Brexit and that MPs had been left feeling frustrated.

“You can see the frustration in members of parliament trying to navigate what the people wanted when they voted on the referendum,” he said.

He said he detected a “defeatism” about Brexit, saying: “If you look back and you just try to project the past into the present and the future, it’s going to be bleak.

“But you’re leaving out the great thing that Britain has to offer, and that is all of the people and all of their efforts and their ability to solve problems. And if you factor that in, I think the future is extremely positive and extremely bright.”

On the postponed, controversial state visit to the UK, Mr Johnson said he thought Mr Trump “would be in favour of it”.

Asked whether May 2019 would be good date, the ambassador said it would be a “good time” but noted that it “has to be on both sides”.