US "optimistic" about trade deal with UK in 2020 - Treasury Secretary

LONDON, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- The US is "quite optimistic" about concluding a trade deal with the UK in 2020 as the latter prepares to withdraw from the European Union at the end of January, its Treasury Secretary said on Saturday.
The US is keen to offer a "lot of resources" towards the endeavor, Secretary Steve Mnuchin told the London-based Chatham House think tank, adding that it could herald the beginning a "very important relationship." Both countries have "similar economies with a big focus on services," he said.
US President Donald Trump has signalled on more than one occasion his intent to move forward with a trade deal with the UK.
In turn, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has welcomed the move, expressing the UK's keenness to conduct trade talks in parallel with both Washington and Brussels. (end) mrn.sd