Trump trade envoy: UK choosing Brussels over America

White House Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Britain it was choosing "Brussels over America" despite Brexit, warning in an interview with the Financial Times that this could hinder efforts to expand a US-UK trade deal.

Greer said the UK was not using the freedom it gained from leaving the European Union. He said he had urged Britain to liberalise and accept goods and agricultural products made to American standards, but that UK officials had said they needed to wait and see what the EU says.

"You know that is a problem for us and that's challenging," Greer told the Financial Times.

The comments come as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham seeks closer post-Brexit cooperation with the European Union. A summit between Britain and the EU is expected before the end of the year.

Burnham told journalists on Wednesday that people in Britain wanted closer cooperation with the EU, and told parliament this week that Brexit had contributed to sluggish UK economic growth.

Donald Trump and former British prime minister Keir Starmer announced a trade deal in May 2025 under which Washington lowered tariffs on British luxury cars, steel and aluminium. Britain said the deal allowing more US agricultural products, including ethanol and US beef, would not dilute British food standards.

Britain has also reached a deal to avoid US tariffs on medicines by agreeing to pay higher prices for certain drugs.