On Tuesday, IPI resident scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews joined CGTN-TV’s “The Heat” host Anand Naidoo to discuss President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom and what it means for future trade relations between the two powers.
Despite the president’s optimistic statements at the St. James’s Palace joint press conference with Prime Minister Theresa May, Matthews voiced skepticism of the U.S. making a “quick deal” on trade post-Brexit.
“The Trump administration has had trouble formulating any trade agreements,” said Matthews. “We haven’t gotten a deal with the European Union yet, he’s imposed steel and aluminum tariffs on [the EU], and the U.S.-Canada-Mexico agreement has not been passed through Congress yet.”
“The president makes major statements,” said Matthews. “He oftentimes has trouble finishing these things and actually closing the deal.”
Matthews also said Trump’s remarks about negotiating deal with Great Britain’s National Health Service may be part of an overall strategy to lower the cost of prescription drugs for U.S. consumers.
“Pharmaceutical companies want to ensure they are getting higher prices from the National Health Service in an effort to try to lower prices in the U.S.,” he said. “That’s been one of the goals for a while.”
To view the full interview, visit CGTN online or click here.