UK: Chancellor 'Confident' Trade w/US Can Growth Under Trump

Reuters reporting comments from Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, speaking in Cape Town, South Africa at the G20 Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' meeting. On trade with the US, Reeves says "The last time President Trump was in the White House, trade and investment flows between our two countries increased, and I've got every confidence that that can happen again," Reuters: "Trump has said value-added taxes levied by European countries represent an unfair barrier to U.S. exports. Asked if Britain was likely to change its tax regime, Reeves said: "decisions on tax are for the UK government to make."

• Asked by Reuters whether she was concerned about an adverse reaction in financial markets to the upcoming spring statement fiscal event on 26 March, Reeves said she would not give a running commentary, claiming that "We took the action that was necessary in October to secure our public finances," she said. "Public services now need to live within the means that we've set."
• A lower-than-forecast fiscal surplus in January has raised speculation that spending cuts, tax hikes, or both will be required in March to remain within the gov'ts self-imposed 'fiscal rules'.