President Donald Trump has announced he will "cement the relationship" between the UK and US, confirming a full trade deal between the two countries.
Trump has promised a "very big and exciting day" for US-UK relations as the two countries were set to announce a trade deal.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who had been due to spend the day focusing on events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, said he would "act in our national interest" to "deliver security and renewal for our country".
Trump praised the history between the two countries, and said it was "a great honour" to confirm the UK as the first nation to do a deal with the new Trump administration.
President Donald Trump holds a letter from King Charles
Reuters
Trump wrote on his Truth Social page: "The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.
"Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honour to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!"
Speaking in the Commons, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: "The Government has indicated that there will be a statement this afternoon on US-UK trade.
"The timing of that statement is yet to be established, but it will appear on the annunciator once it’s been confirmed."
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US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
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In the Commons earlier today, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said food standards are a "red line" for the Government in trade negotiations with the US.
Conservative MP for The Wrekin Mark Pritchard said: "Can I welcome the UK-US trade deal, and congratulate the Prime Minister on that deal. It’s very much in the national interest, although, of course, the devil is in the detail.
"But could we have a debate on the concerns of British farmers around that trade deal – chlorinated chicken, hormone-fed beef and, of course, antibiotics in pig farming.
"So can the minister assure the House, assure Shropshire farmers and British farmers that British agriculture is safe with this trade deal?"
Powell replied: "These issues are still unfolding, but he’s absolutely right to praise the work of the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade for the amazing work that they’ve done to get us to this point today.
"But he will be aware that the issues that he raises of food standards and agriculture have been red lines for this Government in those trade talks, and he will get the details later today."
Liberal Democrat environment spokesman and former party leader Tim Farron asked: "Has the Secretary of State been consulted by the Prime Minister (Sir Keir Starmer) over the potential impact on British farmers of the US-UK trade deal?
"US animal welfare standards as a matter of fact are worse than ours, which means that import costs are less, and so to allow equal access is not free trade, it is unfair trade, and throwing our farmers under the bus just like the Conservatives did in their deal with Australia and New Zealand."
Environment Secretary Steve Reed responded, saying: "We will not be allowing British farmers to be undercut on environmental or welfare standards in the way that the Conservatives did when they agreed a trade deal with Australia that undercut British farmers and caused immense damage to them.
"We will never go the way of the Tories. We will stand four-square behind our farmers and I’m delighted to hear the Liberal Democrats feel the same."
