LIZ TRUSS admitted today that talks on a post-Brexit free trade deal with the US will not restart for years.

The Prime Minister stressed her trade priority is striking agreements with India and the Gulf states, and joining a trade pact with nations including Australia and Japan.

But she heavily downplayed the chances of talks even resuming to get the comprehensive deal with the US that was billed by Brexit backers as a major benefit of leaving the EU during the referendum.

Labour said the admission is “terrible news” for the UK economy, claiming the lack of a deal is costing billions in lost trade and holding back growth.

Ms Truss, a former Brexit opponent who has switched to becoming a supporter, said the deals with Delhi and other allies are “our trade priorities” as she flew to New York ahead of a meeting with US President Joe Biden.

“There aren’t currently any negotiations taking place with the US and I don’t have an expectation that those are going to start in the short to medium term,” she told reporters flying with her to New York.

Officials did not deny that Ms Truss was effectively conceding it will be years before talks with the White House resume.

Nick Thomas Symonds, Labour’s shadow secretary for international trade, warned the admission will cost billions in lost potential trade opportunities and will hold back growth.
 
He said: “There is no doubt that the blame for this mess lies at the door of the Prime Minister, who tarnished the UK’s international reputation as Foreign and International Trade Secretary. 

“This is an embarrassment for Liz Truss.
 
“The Conservative manifesto promised a trade deal with the United States by the end of this year, now this has no chance of being delivered.”

The Liberal Democrats blamed Ms Truss’s “cack-handed diplomacy” for the failure to secure a trade deal.

“Any competent political party would have made sure the trade and then foreign secretary responsible for this series of failures would be held responsible,” foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said.

“Instead, the Conservatives have made her prime minister.” 

One of the issues facing future talks is Ms Truss’s threat to override parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which the EU says would break international law.