Speaker Paul Ryan will take advantage of the House recess to lead a bipartisan delegation to the United Kingdom and three other European countries next week to discuss economic and security matters facing NATO member countries, his office announced Wednesday.
In Britain, Ryan will address issues particular to the “special relationship” post-Brexit.
“He will speak about the critical role that the United States and United Kingdom play in promoting regional and global stability, new opportunities for trade and economic partnerships, and the enduring importance of the special relationship between our two counties,” a release from Ryan’s office stated.
Republicans, including President Trump, have talked up the U.K. as a favored economic partner amid uncertainty about the White House’s approach to international trade. An economic adviser to Trump said during last year’s presidential campaign that Britain had pole position ahead of the EU for trade negotiations. Trump followed up after the election, telling The Times of London that he and Prime Minister Teresa May would secure a deal “very quickly.” He hosted May at the White House in January for preliminary discussions.
Others in the GOP have been pushing Donald Trump to take advantage of the U.K.’s upcoming departure from the EU. GOP Reps. Charlie Dent and Mark Walker introduced their own idea for a bilateral agreement shortly after Trump took office.
Joining Ryan in Europe will be two key committee chairman: Reps. Jeb Hensarling (financial services) and Mac Thornberry (armed services). Five other congressmen are scheduled to travel, including Democrats Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Gregory Meeks of New York. Kind serves on a trade subcommittee of the ways and means panel, and Meeks is a member of both the financial services and foreign affairs committees.
The trip will take place in advance of President Trump’s participation in the G20 summit in July.
