Boris Johnson promises Stetsons for salmon, but tough US trade talks loom

But any free trade agreement will have to protect Britain’s National Health Service, he said, as his administration unveiled its negotiating objectives.

“We have the best negotiators in the business and of course, we’re going to drive a hard bargain to boost British industry,” Johnson said. “Trading Scottish smoked salmon for Stetson hats, we will deliver lower prices and more choice for our shoppers.”

U.S. Ambassador to London Woody Johnson welcomed the publication of the framework. “Lots of work to do – let’s get started,” he wrote on Twitter.

However, talks will likely test the close relationship between Washington and London, as Johnson tries to head off critics who fear he will weaken consumer protections in order to open markets to U.S. farmers in a deal that could deliver a $4.3 billion boost to the British economy.

Officials at No. 10 are understood to want to prioritize talks with the European Union on a deal over negotiations with the U.S.

The negotiating principles fence the health service from talks.

“The NHS is not for sale and the government is committed to the guiding principles of the NHS — that it is universal and free at the point of use,” the statement said.

And British Trade Minister Liz Truss said talks would not compromise on food standards.

“In a trade deal with the U.S., we will not diminish our food safety standards and we will also not put the NHS on the table,” she said. “If we don’t get the deal we want we will be prepared to walk away.”