US Ambassador: Major trade deal with UK may not be possible

The US ambassador to Britain has cast doubts on whether a major bilateral trade deal can be reached if Parliament approves the Brexit proposal from Prime Minister Theresa May.

Robert 'Woody' Johnson told BBC radio on Monday that negotiating a "quick" and "massive" trade deal between the two long-time allies "doesn't look like it would be possible" under the terms of May's proposed deal with the European Union.

Johnson used a live radio appearance to reiterate President Donald Trump's concerns about the proposed agreement, which faces strong opposition in Britain's Parliament.

May has said she plans to bring the plan to a vote in mid-January.

The US ambassador said he finds a "defeatism" in the British attitude toward Brexit that overlooks the many positive developments that leaving the EU could bring.

AP