Liam Fox confident of UK's ability to strike trade deal with US

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said he believes the UK has a strong negotiating position to strike a beneficial trade deal with the US after Brexit.

US President Donald Trump is "very keen" to reach an agreement, Fox said.

Speaking from New York, Fox told the BBC the UK is in a strong negotiating position due to the close military ties between the two countries: "Our trade relationship is part of a wider relationship. There is a unique relationship with the United States."

"The United States is one of our closest allies, our largest single bilateral trading partner and we will see that bond continue to strengthen as we leave the European Union.

This ‘trade day’ will see some of the UK’s most innovative businesses meeting their US counterparts as we continue to combat growing overseas cyber threats together," he concluded.

The Trump administration told Congress that talks would begin with the UK after it leaves the European Union in 2019, though reaching a deal will be challenging given Trump’s aggressive protectionist measures imposed on historic allies such as the EU and Canada.

Marjorie Chorlins, the executive director of the US-UK Business Council at the US Chamber of Commerce, told the BBC that she does not think the “special relationship” will help the UK get a better deal than other allies.

Fox, on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, addressed business leaders from firms such as BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin and emphasised the connections between security and trade.

"Trade and security are linked," he told the crowd of more than 100 people. "Where better to be discussing the interplay of these relationships?"