Theresa May's plans for a post-Brexit trade deal with the US will be put at risk if she retains EU protections for food and drink such as Champagne and Parma Ham, a senior ally of Donald Trump has warned. The Telegraph has learned that Liam Fox, the International Trade Secretary, has written to David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, warning him not to concede over the issue during negotiations with Brussels. During a recent visit to the US he was told by Paul Ryan, a senior Republican and Speaker of the House of Representatives, that the UK must be able to "diverge" from EU protected status standards to reach a free trade deal. The US produces its own Feta, Parmesan and Champagne and has strongly resisted attempts to ban the sale of American products in the past. Its refusal to compromise on the issue led to the collapse of a major trade deal between the EU and the US. However Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, is demanding that Britain must recognise 3,300 protected food and drink products after Brexit. The products are protected under a system of "geographical indications", meaning that they cannot be produced elsewhere.
A post-Brexit trade deal with the US may be jeopardised if the UK continues to recognise EU protected status standards for food and drink. Photograph: However, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, says Britain must retain the protections.