Barack Obama warns of Brexit trade risk

Britain would not be able to strike a free trade deal with the US “any time soon” if it leaves the EU, as Washington’s focus would be on reaching agreement with the European Union, said US President Barack Obama.

Mr Obama was speaking after Downing St talks with British prime minister David Cameron during a two-day visit which he has used to speak out in favour of continued UK membership of the 28-nation bloc after the June 23 referendum.

At a joint press conference in the British Foreign Office, Mr Cameron insisted that the special relationship between the UK and US was not “constrained” by Britain’s EU membership.