UK cabinet minister heads to Washington for trade, economy talks

(Reuters) - Britain's business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds travels to Washington on Tuesday to meet his U.S. counterparts in the hope of strengthening economic ties, as President Donald Trump continues to target long-standing allies with tariffs.

Reynolds is due to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Britain's Department of Business and Trade said.

London said last week it was disappointed with Trump's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports but did not follow the European Union in retaliating.

Trump on Monday said he had no intention of creating exemptions.

Reynolds has previously talked of positive initial exchanges with U.S. administration officials. Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month appeared with Trump at a White House meeting that was cordial in tone - in contrast to other world leaders.

"Today's visit to Washington, D.C. is the latest step in our pragmatic and positive engagement with the new administration to agree a wider economic deal in both our interests," Reynolds said in a statement.

"The UK and US share a fair and balanced relationship, one that has benefited both sides for many decades, and we will both benefit as we strengthen this relationship further."

Imports and exports of goods and services between Britain and the U.S. totalled $317 billion in 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said, making Britain the fifth-biggest U.S. trade partner after Canada, Mexico, China and Germany.

The United States is Britain's single biggest national trade partner, although the UK trades far more with the 27 members of the European Union as a bloc.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce, editing by Ed Osmond)