Donald Trump may sign 'trade deal with Britain' in surprise announcement later today

The long sought after trade deal between the United States and the UK could be at hand, after years of negotiations following Britain's departure from the economic arrangements of the .

Three sources close to have indicated that the president is set to announce the deal on Thursday, something which the US leader hinted at on Wednesday evening.

Taking to his Truth Social, he touted a "major trade deal" with a “big, and highly respected country.”

But officials speaking anonymously to the have revealed that this teased country is in fact the UK, with Prime Minister Sir close to putting pen to paper on a transatlantic trade deal with President Trump.

The announcement is set for 10am local time, or around 3pm GMT, according to Trump's Truth Social post.

Both the British Embassy in Washington and the White House refused to comment on the New York Times report.

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If signed, the trade deal could be a major win for the Trump team, embattled over the ramping costs of the America tariff war, which has forced the president to defend toy shortages and a lack of pencils for school children.

After initially slapping countries around the with tariffs up to 100 per cent on many goods, Trump was forced to back down following a revolt by the financial markets. Instead, reducing many to a standard 10 per cent tariff rate as part of a 'pause'.

A comprehensive deal with the UK has been on Donald Trump's agenda since his first term, but he failed to reach any agreement before being ousted in 2020.

No details on what will be included in any economic agreement were revealed by the Trump sources, so it is unclear whether contentious issues with the British public, such as farming standards like chlorinated chicken, were on the table.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance have criticised the UK Government in the past for laws restricting US tech companies and what the president perceives as freedom of speech issues.

The NYT reported that rules on tech and import tariffs on American vehicles are likely part of the document.

US officials also indicated that the current 10 per cent blanket tariff on UK goods would remain in place, regardless of any trade deal.

For the Labour government, a new agreement with the US announced today would mark a bumper week for international trading agreements with major economies, following Tuesday' announced deal with India on tariffs and employment.