[Politico] Britain says it is ready to start trade negotiations with the United States but is waiting for agreement from the Trump Administration on whether those negotiations can now be conducted virtually.Karen Pierce, Britain’s new ambassador to the United States, told POLITICO that moving quickly on the bilateral trade negotiations would "put a bit of optimism into the world economy," and that Britain is "actively discussing" the matter with the U.S. Trade Representative and Commerce Department. Pierce said American negotiators are "famously tough on trade" but that Britain "certainly intends to fight our corner."
Pierce also said the U.K. will fiercely resist the "backward step" of protectionism as a way of dealing with the supply chain weaknesses exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Addressing "strategic vulnerabilities in supply" can coexist with "keeping the global economy open and keeping trade flowing," she added.
Mind the cheap shots and jokes, Karen has a dark side.