US president Donald Trump has backtracked on his earlier suggestion that post-Brexit trade talks with Britain must include access to the NHS for US firms.
He had used a joint appearance with Theresa May on Tuesday to say the NHS would be “on the table” as part of a “phenomenal” potential transatlantic deal.
Trump held out the prospect of a deal that could potentially triple the volume of trade between the two countries and made clear that there could be no limit to the scope of their discussions.
But in a U-turn yesterday, he used a major TV interview to say: “I don’t see it being on the table,” adding that the NHS was something that “I would not consider part of trade”.
His original remarks triggered a backlash from the SNP, Tory leadership hopefuls, Labour and trade unions.
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At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, the SNP’s deputy Westminster leader, Kirsty Blackman, said Trump and the Tories could not be trusted on the NHS.
And she criticised the UK Government for plotting to take powers away from the Scottish Parliament which would allow it to safeguard the NHS in Scotland.
“Donald Trump cannot be trusted to keep his hands off our NHS, and the Tories are plotting to block the Scottish Government having any veto over such a damaging deal,” said Blackman.
“The SNP government will fight to the end to defend Scotland’s public services from this unprecedented Tory Brexit danger.
“Our NHS must remain in public hands – it is not, and should never be, up for sale.”
Trump used an interview with Good Morning Britain to backpedal on the issue, telling host Piers Morgan: “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.”
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon tells Donald Trump: Get your hands off Scotland's NHS
He also held out the prospect of a future meeting with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, after snubbing him on Tuesday.
Asked if he could imagine negotiating a trade deal with a government led by Corbyn, Trump said: “It’s always possible. Anything is possible.”
Downing Street was adamant that the Government had no intention of allowing the NHS to be privatised, while David Lidington, May’s de facto deputy, said it would not be part of the trade talks with the US.
Standing in for May at Prime Minister’s Questions, Lidington said: “The Prime Minister has been very clear and she spoke for everyone in the Government and on this side of the House – when it comes to trade negotiations, the NHS is not and will not be up for sale.”
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