UK says it will not bend on health service, standards in U.S. trade talks

06/30/2020

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William Schomberg | Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s government said on Tuesday it would not compromise on the National Health Service (NHS), environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards in talks with the United States about a post-Brexit trade deal.

Critics of the negotiations have raised concerns about the possibility of U.S. firms carving out parts of the NHS and selling food products, such as hormone-treated beef, which are currently prohibited.

“The government remains clear on protecting the NHS and not compromising on the UK’s high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards,” trade minister Elizabeth Truss said after a second round of talks with Washington.

Truss last week accused the United States of talking “a good game” on free trade while keeping many British exports out of its markets.

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