Trump ‘excited’ about post-Brexit trade deal with U.K., Envoy says

President Donald Trump is “excited” about closer post-Brexit relations with the U.K., according to his envoy in London, who said the British government would gain more leverage with the European Union if it secured a free-trade deal with the U.S. and other security allies first.

“I think he’s very bullish,” Ambassador Woody Johnson told LBC Radio on Friday. “He’s said dozens of times how excited he is about the prospect of a closer relationship… and how it’s so important to the U.S. that our security and our prosperity are so closely linked.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has prioritized a trade deal with the U.S. when the U.K. leaves the EU this month. But despite the enthusiasm on both sides, there are potential sticking points including on food standards and Britain’s separate trade talks with the EU, especially as the Trump administration has been pushing the U.K. to ditch its alignment to European regulations.

Envoy Johnson said trade deals with the U.S. and other so-called Five Eyes security partners—Canada, Australia and New Zealand—“will strengthen your hand when you are negotiating with your closest geographical trading partner.”

In the interview, the ambassador reiterated Trump’s December comment that he has no interest in the National Health Service. During last month’s U.K. election, the main opposition Labour Party accused the British government of planning to sell off the state-run health system to secure a U.S. trade deal.

“No, no and double-no,” he said. “We’ve got our own issues dealing with health care.”