The US and the EU, after nearly two years of preparation, started talks yesterday aimed at securing a free trade agreement to squeeze new economic growth out of the world’s largest trade and investment relationship.

TORY leader David Cameron was last night fighting to prevent a damaging new rift over Europe dominating his final party conference before the British general election.

Britain is missing out on £12bn (€16bn) in trade each year because of its decision not to join the euro, according to a report published by single currency campaigners Britain in Europe today.