Nancy Pelosi warns ‘no chance’ of trade deal between US and UK if Brexit puts Good Friday agreement at risk

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said there is “no chance” of a US-UK trade deal passing through Congress if Brexit puts the Good Friday agreement at risk.

The comments come after John Bolton, US national security adviser, said the UK would be “front of the queue” for new trade deals.

Ms Pelosi said: “The Good Friday Agreement serves as the bedrock of peace in Northern Ireland and as a beacon of hope for the entire world.

“After centuries of conflict and bloodshed, the world has witnessed a miracle of reconciliation and progress made possible because of this transformative accord.

“Whatever form it takes, Brexit cannot be allowed to imperil the Good Friday Agreement, including the seamless border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, especially now, as the first generation born into the hope of Good Friday 21 years ago comes into adulthood. We cannot go back.

“If Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress. The peace of the Good Friday Agreement is treasured by the American people and will be fiercely defended on a bicameral and bipartisan basis in the United States Congress.”

After a meeting with Boris Johnson in London on Monday, Mr Bolton said that, in the eyes of President Donald Trump, “Britain’s constantly at the front of the trade queue – or line, as we say.”

He added that the US and UK could focus on striking bilateral trade deals in certain sectors like manufacturing and car-making where the two countries may agree, and work out more complicated areas later.

He said: “The main purpose of the visit really is to convey President Trump’s desire to see a successful exit from the European Union for the United Kingdom on October 31, to offer to be of help in any way that we can and to express his hope we can have a fully comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with the United Kingdom as soon as possible.”

Mr Bolton said a trade deal could be done in “pieces”.

He said: “You could do it sector by sector, you could do it in a modular fashion in other words. You could carve out some areas where it might be possible to reach a bilateral agreement very quickly, very straightforwardly.

Mr Johnson said negotiating a post-Brexit trade deal with the US would be a “tough old haggle” but is confident one can be made. 

“In the US there are all sorts of opportunities we have to open up trade, but that also goes for companies around the world, but the single biggest deal we need to do is a free trade deal agreement with our friends and partners over the Channel.”

He added: “In my experience the Americans are very tough negotiators indeed, and we will do a great deal with them and it will open up opportunities for UK business, particularly service companies in the US, but it will be a tough old haggle – but we will get there.”