US leader teases trade deal with ‘highly respected country’

US President Donald Trump has teased what he called a “major trade deal”, which would mark the first such agreement to be announced since he imposed tariffs on dozens of America’s trading partners.

He will hold a news conference at 10:00 in Washington DC (15:00 BST) to announce an agreement with “representatives of a big, and highly respected, country”, Trump said on the Truth Social platform, giving no more details.

The New York Times and Politico have reported that the US will strike a trade agreement with the UK, citing people familiar with the plans.

The BBC has contacted the White House and the UK’s Department for Business & Trade for comment on the reports.