Yahoo News Donald Trump confirms selling off parts of NHS is 'on the table' for post-Brexit trade deal
Donald Trump confirmed selling off parts of the NHS will be ‘on the table’ when the UK and US discuss a post-Brexit trade deal.
During a joint press conference with Theresa May following talks between the leaders, Mr Trump said: "I think everything with a trade deal is on the table.
"When you’re dealing in trade everything is on the table so NHS or anything else, a lot more than that, but everything will be on the table, absolutely."
Mrs May was forced to interject, telling reporters: “But the point in making trade deals is of course that both sides negotiate and come to an agreement about what should or should not be in that trade deal for the future.”
During the press conference the President criticised Jeremy Corbyn, branding him ‘a negative force.’
“He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided I would not do that,” the President added.
“I think the people should look to do things correctly as opposed to criticise – I really don’t like critics as much as I like and respect people who get things done – so I decided not to meet.”
Mr Trump also branded the protests currently taking place in London ‘fake news’ and discussed his thoughts on the future PM.
“I know Boris. I like him. I have liked him for a long time. I think he would do a very good job. I know Jeremy, I think he would do a very good job.” he said.
“I don’t know Michael – would he do a good job Jeremy?”
The issue of offering NHS contracts to US companies has proved a toxic topic throughout trade discussions.
Tory leadership hopefuls have been quick to make clear they would not be willing to offer up parts of the NHS if they took office.
Health secretary Matt Hancock was first out of the blocks to warn Mr Trump he would not countenance including the health service in a trade deal, repeating his opposition to the idea today.
Dear Mr President. The NHS isn’t on the table in trade talks - and never will be. Not on my watch.
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) June 4, 2019
He was joined by foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt who told the BBC: “I can’t conceive of any future prime minister, for any party, ever agreeing that we would allow NHS procurement to be part of trade talks, because the NHS as a publicly-run, publicly-owned institution is part of our DNA.
“That’s not to say that pharmaceutical products, drugs, those kind of things which are freely traded between countries could not be discussed. But the ownership of the NHS, and NHS services, I can’t imagine that ever being part of a trade deal.”
