The United States has warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s push to realign the UK more closely with European Union rules risks undermining transatlantic trade, in a rare public intervention that highlights growing tensions over Britain’s post-Brexit strategy.
Warren Stephens said Washington views the UK government’s plan to reintroduce elements of EU regulation, particularly in agriculture and food standards, as a potential obstacle to trade with the US.
“To the extent that that affects US trade and requirements, that’s going to be a problem,” he told a business audience in London, adding that such a move “will not be favourably received in Washington”.
The warning comes as Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves seek closer economic ties with Brussels, including plans to reintroduce an initial tranche of 76 EU directives into UK law.
The proposed alignment, largely focused on farming and food standards, is intended to smooth trade relations with the EU and reduce friction for exporters. However, US officials fear it could complicate market access for American goods, particularly where regulatory standards diverge.
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