Britain's hopes of a post-Brexit US trade deal under Donald Trump have suffered a fresh setback, triggering a race against time before the battle for the White House unfolds.
Talks were also hit by a row over whisky tariffs and a fresh delay was triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
In crunch negotiations with her US counterpart Robert Lighthizer, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss “set out the UK’s position on wider UK-US trade issues, in particular US retaliatory tariffs on UK products including Scotch whisky”, her office said.
“She was clear that the UK considers these tariffs to be unacceptable and continued to push for their immediate removal,” it added.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to striking a deal - a prospect long prized by Brexiteers, who see the UK's ability to negotiate its own deals as one of the benefits of leaving the EU.
“In terms of the timeline of negotiations, it was agreed that they should continue at pace throughout the Autumn," the Department for International Trade said.
But the American presidential election takes place on November 3, meaning Mr Trump could be booted out of the White House before a pact is agreed.
His Democrat rival Joe Biden could then be in charge if he successfully defeats Mr Trump at the polls.
Ms Truss has refused to set a deadline for agreeing a US trade deal, telling MPs last month that officials Washington might "use time pressure against us".
Separate negotiations aimed at deepening UK–US trade and investment ties and bolstering cooperation on issues affecting small and medium-sized firms were postponed.
In a statement, DIT said both sides agreed to postpone meetings due to take place Boston later this year due to "concerns from Covid-19".
"We hope to rearrange in Spring 2021,” it said.
It comes after talks on a post-Brexit trade deal with Japan were held up - by blue cheese.
Ms Truss is reportedly pushing for better terms for agricultural products, including blue cheeses such as Stilton, in an agreement with Japan.
The senior Tory minister previously made waves on social media when she said it was a "disgrace" that two thirds of cheese in the UK was imported, in a much-mocked speech to the Conservative Party conference in 2014.
