Pursuing trade pacts outside EU 'could mean worse Brexit deal for UK'

Attempts to secure free-trade agreements before UK actually leaves EU could rapidly sour Brexit negotiations, officials warn

Britain's apparent determination to pursue trade talks with countries outside the EU could significantly undermine its efforts to negotiate a favourable Brexit deal and may well be illegal, diplomats and officials have warned.

Theresa May meets Donald Trump on Friday to discuss a post-Brexit transatlantic trade deal the president has said he would like drawn up "quickly", while Australia has said talks this week should "begin to lay the foundations" of a similar pact with the UK.

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