The United States has warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s push to realign the UK more closely with European Union rules risks undermining transatlantic trade, in a rare public intervention that highlights growing tensions over Britain’s post-Brexit strategy.
Warren Stephens said Washington views the UK government’s plan to reintroduce elements of EU regulation, particularly in agriculture and food standards, as a potential obstacle to trade with the US.
“To the extent that that affects US trade and requirements, that’s going to be a problem,” he told a business audience in London, adding that such a move “will not be favourably received in Washington”.
The warning comes as Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves seek closer economic ties with Brussels, including plans to reintroduce an initial tranche of 76 EU directives into UK law.
The proposed alignment, largely focused on farming and food standards, is intended to smooth trade relations with the EU and reduce friction for exporters. However, US officials fear it could complicate market access for American goods, particularly where regulatory standards diverge.
Stephens suggested that the UK’s attempt to balance its relationships with both Brussels and Washington could create competing pressures.
“I know the EU is important to the UK, and you’ve got to do what’s best for you,” he said. “But it does have implications for our trade relationship.”
The comments also reflect broader frustration in Washington over the pace of progress on the UK-US trade deal agreed last year under Donald Trump.
While the agreement came into force in mid-2025, Stephens indicated that the US is keen to see faster implementation and deeper integration.
“We’re excited by these deals and ready to act,” he said. “We want to see the same urgency from our partners.”
Among the proposals under discussion is a framework that would allow companies to raise capital across UK and US markets using domestic regulatory filings, a move aimed at strengthening financial ties between the two economies.
The US ambassador contrasted Washington’s relatively smooth dealings with the UK against what he described as a more difficult relationship with the EU, despite a trade agreement signed last year.
Delays in ratifying that agreement, partly linked to geopolitical tensions, have underscored the complexity of EU negotiations and may be influencing US concerns about the UK moving closer to European regulatory frameworks.
Beyond trade, Stephens also weighed in on broader economic policy, urging the UK to make greater use of domestic energy resources, including North Sea oil and gas, to support competitiveness and reduce costs.
At the same time, he adopted a more measured tone on the UK’s engagement with China, acknowledging the importance of the market while warning of the need to protect sensitive technologies and intellectual property.
The intervention highlights the increasingly delicate position facing the UK as it seeks to recalibrate its global relationships in the post-Brexit era.
Efforts to rebuild ties with the EU are seen by the government as essential to boosting trade and economic growth. However, the US remains one of the UK’s most important economic partners, and any perceived shift towards European alignment risks creating friction.
For businesses, the potential divergence in regulatory standards raises questions about market access, compliance costs and long-term strategy.
As the UK pursues a more pragmatic approach to international trade, balancing relationships with both the EU and the US will be critical.
The latest warning from Washington suggests that alignment with Brussels may come with trade-offs, and that the path to maximising economic opportunity may be more complex than anticipated.
For policymakers, the challenge will be navigating these competing priorities without undermining the UK’s position in either of its most important trading relationships.
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