Britain’s Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, is set to travel to Washington on Tuesday for high-level discussions with U.S. officials aimed at bolstering economic relations between

the two nations. His visit comes amid ongoing tensions over trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on key allies.

During his trip, Reynolds is scheduled to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to a statement from Britain’s Department of Business and Trade.

London recently expressed disappointment over Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports but has refrained from implementing retaliatory measures, unlike the European Union. Trump reiterated on Monday that no exemptions would be granted.

Reynolds has previously described early engagements with U.S. officials as constructive. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also met with Trump at the White House last month, where discussions were notably cordial—setting a different tone from the U.S. president’s interactions with some other world leaders.

“This visit to Washington, D.C., is another step in our pragmatic and positive engagement with the new administration to negotiate a broader economic agreement that serves both our interests,” Reynolds stated.

“The UK and the U.S. have long maintained a fair and balanced partnership, one that has delivered benefits for both countries over many decades. Strengthening this relationship further will only enhance those advantages.”

Meanwhile, EU trade officials have signaled a willingness to engage with the U.S. on trade deals but have warned they will respond to any unilateral measures affecting European industries.

In 2023, total trade in goods and services between the UK and the U.S. reached $317 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. This figure places Britain as the fifth-largest trading partner of the United States, behind Canada, Mexico, China, and Germany.

Despite this strong bilateral relationship, Britain still conducts significantly more trade with the European Union as a whole than with any single national partner, including the U.S. Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.