Thread by @JamesERothwell

EXCL: Post-Brexit US trade deal in doubt as documents leaked to Telegraph reveal chronic Whitehall staff shortages, lack of progress in key areas and signs that US administration may be losing interest - by me, @Annaisaac and @asabenn

telegraph.co.uk/business/2019/…

Documents show that the US has been sending "less senior" officials to meetings with UK counterparts, and that Whitehall is struggling to "get the right people in the room." Meanwhile am told US officials are growing frustrated with lack of progress

The talks are "falling behind schedule," and there is frustration that the UK is delaying the crucial choice of whether it wants to follow US standards and secure a deal, or stick to EU standards to maintain trade with Europe

One document says British officials fear Liam Fox's visit to Washington DC this week might look like "a bit of a desperate bid" to put on a brave face considering how little has been done since talks began

The key areas of contention, deadlock in some cases, cover health, farming and the finance industry. And the heart of the row is plying the UK away from European standards in those areas

But for details beyond that, you'll need to read the full story....