their economy and their trade and their economy and their trade and the uk is fairly low down on the list, so they are acting in a rational way in terms of how much attention to devote to a trade deal with the uk. and the other national interest and stability on the island of ireland. i do not think the us wants to progress the trade track until they are totally convinced that some of the tension around northern ireland as a result of brexit is dissipated. that is what is driving the behaviour of the us rather than how special the relationship is with the uk. it brings us to a point where there are multiple positions on the potential trade deal between the us and america, joe biden is continuing to be lukewarm, some people in the prime minister s entourage in the united states talking about an idea ofjoining the usmca, which would surprise some people because it does not have a clause in it for a fourth