Trump rows back on NHS trade deal comments

Donald Trump has rowed back on his suggestion that access for US firms to the NHS must be part of talks for a post-Brexit trade deal.

The US President had used a joint appearance with Theresa May to say that the NHS would be "on the table" as part of a "phenomenal" potential transatalantic deal.

But in a U-turn he used a major TV interview to say "I don't see it being on the table" as the NHS was "something that I would not consider part of trade".

At his joint press conference with the Prime Minister, Mr Trump held out the prospect of a deal that could potentially triple the volume of trade between the two countries.

At the same time, he made clear that there could be no limit to the scope of their discussions.

"I think everything with a trade deal is on the table," he said.

"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 appeared to be taken aback by his comments, retorting: "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."

Following a backlash from Tory leadership candidates, Labour and trade unions, Mr Trump softened his stance.

In an interview with Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan, he said: "I don't see it being on the table. Somebody asked me a question today and I say everything is up for negotiation, because everything is.

"But I don't see that as being, that something that I would not consider part of trade. That's not trade."