The future of trade between the United States and the United Kingdom may hinge on chicken. British Environment Secretary Michael Gove said in an interview on July 25 that the United Kingdom will not lower its food safety or environmental standards for a trade deal with the United States, and, more specifically, that the United Kingdom will refuse to import chlorine-washed chicken from the United States. The announcement is notable because it contradicts comments made by U.K. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox during a visit to the United States for a two-day bilateral working group on trade and investment between the two countries starting July 24. Fox said chlorine-washed chicken presented no health risk, even according to EU standards.

After Brexit, the United Kingdom is hoping to rely on its relationship with the United States. Apart from the European Union, the United States is the United Kingdom's most important export destination, accounting for around 15 percent of British exports. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the deal, announcing on Twitter that a major trade deal between the two countries was in the works. The United Kingdom is not permitted to formally negotiate international trade agreements until it has left the European Union. However, it is permitted to engage in preliminary negotiations to provide commercial continuity. Through these preliminary talks, the United Kingdom is sending a message that it will not be wholly isolated after Brexit. Mutual interest in a free trade deal and a positive bilateral relationship do not mean controversial issues won't arise during negotiations, however. Resistance in public opinion arose, for example, during negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the European Union and the United States when British consumers became concerned that the possible entrance of American companies into their healthcare sector would negatively affect the National Health Service (NHS).

The United Kingdom must also consider the effect that lowering its food safety standards for a trade deal with the United States might have on the free trade deal it is looking to negotiate with the European Union, a top priority for the country. The European Union maintains high standards on food and environmental safety, and if the United Kingdom compromises with the United States, it risks complicating negotiations with the European Union. How fast and how successfully the United Kingdom will be able to negotiate the signing of trade deals once it officially leaves the European Union will be a crucial issue for British politicians. A free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States is a very real possibility, but it is far from guaranteed.