US Treasury Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Steven Mnuchin</a> said that he was optimistic the United States and Britain, soon to be out of the European Union, would strike a trade deal this year and that he had discussed it with Britain's finance minister on Saturday.

"I'm quite optimistic. I think the prime minister and the president have a very good relationship," Mnuchin told an audience at the Chatham House think tank in London.

"We're focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it's important to both of us," he added.

After the United States recently concluded the initial phase of a trade agreement with China, deals with Britain and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-imposes-record-75-billion-tariffs-on-european-union-256583">the European Union</a> were now the priority, Mnuchin stated. While the Treasury Secretary conceded that Britain may need to finalise some issues with the EU before it could discuss them with Washington, he didn't see this leading to a delay.

"I think a lot of the issues can be dealt with simultaneously and again we look forward to continuing a great trade relationship, and, if anything, I think there will be significantly more trade between the US and the UK," he said. When asked if Britain's plan to implement a digital services tax on US technology giants such as Facebook and Google could hinder the trade negotiations, Mnuchin said that he discussed the issue on Saturday with Javid.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-ii-approves-uk-governments-brexit-bill-276201">Queen Elizabeth II approves UK government's Brexit bill</a>

<img alt="US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59ffbaed-cc2a-4034-8dc4-fa97bfde2a87" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2884%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Washington is threatening to put tariffs on products from the EU's member states if they follow through with a plan to introduce a new tax on US tech giants. "The US feels very strongly that any tax that is designed specifically on digital companies is a discriminatory tax and is not appropriate," Mnuchin said.&nbsp;

Britain has said it intends to implement the tax, while France has put off its plans to wait for broader negotiations within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Mnuchin said he wanted to narrow the US trade deficit with the EU but that differences between the bloc's member states would complicate negotiations.

"When we talk about the EU, one of the challenges is some of these issues are really only a couple of countries, but I think, as you know, because of the EU we can’t negotiate these things on a bilateral basis," he said. "One of the challenges of dealing with the EU is even within the EU they have different views," he added. 
&nbsp;

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he was optimistic the United States and Britain, soon to be out of the European Union, would strike a trade deal this year and that he had discussed it with Britain's finance minister on Saturday.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he was optimistic the United States and Britain, soon to be out of the European Union, would strike a trade deal this year and that he had discussed it with Britain's finance minister on Saturday. "I'm quite optimistic. I think the prime minister and the president have a very good relationship," Mnuchin told an audience at the Chatham House think tank in London. "We're focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it's important to both of us," he added. After the United States recently concluded the initial phase of a trade agreement with China, deals with Britain and the European Union were now the priority, Mnuchin stated. While the Treasury Secretary conceded that Britain may need to finalise some issues with the EU before it could discuss them with Washington, he didn't see this leading to a delay. "I think a lot of the issues can be dealt with simultaneously and again we look forward to continuing a great trade relationship, and, if anything, I think there will be significantly more trade between the US and the UK," he said. When asked if Britain's plan to implement a digital services tax on US technology giants such as Facebook and Google could hinder the trade negotiations, Mnuchin said that he discussed the issue on Saturday with Javid. Also Read: Queen Elizabeth II approves UK government's Brexit bill [ US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Washington is threatening to put tariffs on products from the EU's member states if they follow through with a plan to introduce a new tax on US tech giants. "The US feels very strongly that any tax that is designed specifically on digital companies is a discriminatory tax and is not appropriate," Mnuchin said. Britain has said it intends to implement the tax, while France has put off its plans to wait for broader negotiations within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Mnuchin said he wanted to narrow the US trade deficit with the EU but that differences between the bloc's member states would complicate negotiations. "When we talk about the EU, one of the challenges is some of these issues are really only a couple of countries, but I think, as you know, because of the EU we can’t negotiate these things on a bilateral basis," he said. "One of the challenges of dealing with the EU is even within the EU they have different views," he added.

Post-Brexit UK trade deal with US 'optimistic', says Treasury Secretary Mnuchin

US President Donald Trump has warned that the deal allowing the United Kingdom to leave European Union may hamper trade ties between Washington and London&nbsp;

Speaking with the reporters at the White House, Trump said, "Sounds like a great deal for the European Union. We have to take a look at seriously whether or not the UK is allowed to trade."&nbsp;

"You know, right now, if you look at the deal, they may not be able to trade with us, and that wouldn't be a good thing," he then added.

"I don't think they want that at all. That would be a very big negative for the deal."

He expressed hope that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/britain-will-head-into-unknown-if-brexit-deal-is-rejected-says-may-in-uk-parliament-179629">UK Prime Minister Theresa May </a>will "be able to do something about that."

However, spokeswoman for May's office has disputed Trump's interpretation saying that agreement struck with the EU allows the UK to sign trade deals with countries throughout the world, including with the United States.

"We have already been laying the groundwork for an ambitious agreement with the US through our joint working groups, which have met five times so far," news agency Reuters quoted the spokeswoman as&nbsp;saying.

Under the deal secured with EU leaders on Sunday, the UK will leave the bloc in March with continued close trade ties. But the odds look stacked against May getting it approved by a divided British parliament.

The British leader on Sunday closed 17 months of painful talks with Brussels by sealing Brexit arrangements with the 27 other EU heads of state and government.

However, May faces a difficult task getting parliamentary approval for the deal.

(With inputs from news agencies)

US President Donald Trump has warned that the deal allowing the United Kingdom to leave European Union may hamper trade ties between Washington and London Speaking with the reporters at the White House, Trump said, "Sounds like a great deal for the European Union.

US President Donald Trump has warned that the deal allowing the United Kingdom to leave European Union may hamper trade ties between Washington and London Speaking with the reporters at the White House, Trump said, "Sounds like a great deal for the European Union. We have to take a look at seriously whether or not the UK is allowed to trade." "You know, right now, if you look at the deal, they may not be able to trade with us, and that wouldn't be a good thing," he then added. "I don't think they want that at all. That would be a very big negative for the deal." He expressed hope that UK Prime Minister Theresa May will "be able to do something about that." However, spokeswoman for May's office has disputed Trump's interpretation saying that agreement struck with the EU allows the UK to sign trade deals with countries throughout the world, including with the United States. "We have already been laying the groundwork for an ambitious agreement with the US through our joint working groups, which have met five times so far," news agency Reuters quoted the spokeswoman as saying. Under the deal secured with EU leaders on Sunday, the UK will leave the bloc in March with continued close trade ties. But the odds look stacked against May getting it approved by a divided British parliament. The British leader on Sunday closed 17 months of painful talks with Brussels by sealing Brexit arrangements with the 27 other EU heads of state and government. However, May faces a difficult task getting parliamentary approval for the deal. (With inputs from news agencies)

Trump warns Brexit may harm US-British trade, UK differs

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Post-Brexit UK trade deal with US 'optimistic', says Treasury Secretary Mnuchin

Trump warns Brexit may harm US-British trade, UK differs