LONDON, May 2 — UK ministers are to start trade deal talks with the United States next week, with Britain issuing the order to start formal negotiation despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Sun reported yesterday.

The first round of the talks will be held between UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the report said, adding that until the travel lockdown lasts talks will be carried out through teleconferencing.

"No10 gave the green light late this week for the talks to start,” the Sun reported, citing a source close to the negotiations.

"Both countries are committed to starting trade negotiations as soon as possible to reach a comprehensive free trade agreement in these unprecedented times,” a spokeswoman for Britain’s Department for International Trade said, but declined to confirm the timeline in The Sun report.

According to a Telegraph report last month, negotiations on the UK-US free trade deal were stalled due to the virus outbreak. — Reuters