Dec 15 (Reuters) – The United States has suspended a technology deal it struck with Britain earlier this year to strengthen ties in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and civilian nuclear energy, the Financial Times reported on Monday.
British officials confirmed on Monday that the United States had suspended the agreement last week, the Financial Times reported, adding that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration was pushing for concessions in trade areas beyond the technology partnership.
The British “Financial Times” said that US officials are increasingly frustrated by the UK’s lack of willingness to address so-called non-tariff barriers, including rules and regulations governing food and industrial products.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House and the British government did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
In September, during Trump’s visit to the UK, the two countries agreed to a “Tech Prosperity Deal” to strengthen ties in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and civilian nuclear energy.
The United States is Britain’s largest trading partner and its big tech companies have invested billions of dollars in British operations.
(Reporting by Gulsimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
