UK and US Lay Groundwork for Trade Deal Focused on Tech and Health Research

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump signal progress on a potential trade agreement, with the NHS excluded from negotiations but clinical trials and AI collaboration prioritized.

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump met in Washington, discussing a potential trade deal centered on technology, artificial intelligence, and life sciences.
• Health Secretary Wes Streeting reaffirmed that the NHS is not part of the negotiations, but suggested that UK patients could participate in US clinical trials to access cutting-edge treatments and technologies.
• The deal aims to avoid contentious issues like US access to the NHS and lower food safety standards, such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef, which have stalled past negotiations.
• Officials are exploring a sector-by-sector approach, focusing on finance, technology, and space collaboration to expedite progress while maintaining high British standards.
• The proposed agreement could position the UK as a European hub for US data centers and is seen as a potential boost for both nations' economies, with some experts suggesting it could be finalized within six months.

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