Labour minister Darren Jones has refused to acknowledge the new US-UK trade deal as a Brexit benefit during an interview on GB News.
When directly questioned about whether Brexit enabled the agreement with the United States, Jones repeatedly sidestepped the question.
Discussing the trade deal, GB News host Ellie Costello said: "It's a Brexit benefit as well, isn't it? We wouldn't have got this deal if we were inside the EU.
Darren Jones said: "I mean, who knows? I mean, we left the European Union a very long time ago.
Jones emphasised that the UK was "the first country in the world" to secure a deal
GB NEWS
"What I do know is that we are the first country in the world to be able to secure a new trade deal with the president of the United States of America.
"That is a great vindication of the strategy of the Prime Minister in being able to negotiate that with the president."
Ellie Costello said: "But we know that Donald Trump does not think fondly of the European Union. I mean, he describes the European Union Union as shafting the US. If we were still inside the European Union, we wouldn't have got this deal."
He said: "As I say, it's kind of an old argument. What I do know is that the UK has been able to get this deal with the United States of America, and that's very good news indeed."
President Trump praised the agreement during the announcement, describing it as "a great deal for both countries."
"Today's agreement with the UK is the first in a series of agreements on trade that my administration has been negotiating," Trump stated.
The deal includes significant market access for American exports, particularly in agriculture, with increased access for American beef and ethanol.
Trump highlighted that the UK will "reduce or eliminate numerous non-tariff barriers" and fast-track American goods through customs.
Jones emphasised that the UK was "the first country in the world" to secure a deal with the new US administration.
For British farmers, the minister highlighted new export opportunities, stating: "I back British beef. I think it's a good quality product."
Trump highlighted that the UK will "reduce or eliminate numerous non-tariff barriers"
POOLHe explained: "It protects thousands and thousands of jobs that were at risk in the car production sector.
"Steel, aluminium for farmers where these punitive tariffs were putting livelihoods at risk.
"The Prime Minister has been able to protect those jobs, protect those communities as a consequence of this trade deal. And that's very good news."
