US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has arrived in the UK to talk about post-Brexit agricultural trade with Defra Secretary Michael Gove.
It is part of Mr Perdue's European tour, with its overall aim to lift trade barriers with the US and the EU.
On Thursday (12 October), he is expected to meet with Mr Gove as well as with members of the House of Commons' Committee on Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
Mr Perdue is expected to discuss the US trade relationship with the United Kingdom after the UK leaves the EU.
However, trade relationship with the UK and the US has not got off to a good start.
The US and six other major agricultural producers such as Argentina and New Zealand have already opposed a tariff deal between the UK and EU.
The seven nations have explained that the plans to divide existing quotas will put them at a disadvantage.
'Very protectionist'
Regardless, US President Donald Trump has stated how he wants more access to British markets.
Mr Trump has even criticised the EU's trading relationship with the US on food products.
He said American farmers 'can't deal' with the EU as they are 'very, very protectionist.'
The British red meat industry has welcomed Mr Trump's eagerness. The industry said it is looking forward to 'continued good progress' towards opening up the American market to lamb and beef products.
The American market has been closed to lamb from Britain for many years, but work has been ongoing for a decade to re-establish the trade by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), working alongside the Welsh and UK governments.
'Stronger trade'
US pork industry leaders have also applauded the Trump administration for seeking closer trade relations with the UK, backed by a plea for talks between the two countries to begin as soon as possible.
“We applaud the Trump administration for recognising the importance of free trade agreements to American agriculture and the entire US economy,” said National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president, John Weber, a pork producer himself from Dysart, Iowa.
“We’re pleased that it will work for a stronger trade relationship with the UK through a mutually beneficial trade agreement.”
The danger, however, is that new trade deals with the US and other big pork exporters would be used by the respective meat industries to try and lower both tariff and non-tariff barriers for cheaper exports to the UK.
The latter currently prevent pork imports produced in ways banned in the EU, such as use of ractopamine, a feed additive to promote leanness in meat, antibiotics for growth promotion and sow stalls.
Cautious
Today's meetings will be seen as cautious in their tone after the UK annoyed the US with the proposed UK-EU tariff agreement.
Mr Perdue's trip will conclude in Madrid, where he will meet with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Forestry Isabel Garcia Tejerina on October 17.
Mr Perdue said about his trip: "The European Union consistently ranks among the United States' top agricultural export markets, and it is the world's largest importer of food and farm products."
"We value our close relationship with our European partners, but there is work to be done to address the numerous trade barriers U.S. exporters face in that market."
