Britain could strike a trade deal with the United States within 90 days, the Trump administration has told Nigel Farage.

Speaking to Sky News at a party hosted by the former UKIP leader in Washington DC on the eve of inauguration, the MEP insisted Donald Trump was offering a "great gift" and was willing to hold talks before Britain even left the EU.

Dismissing predictions that reaching an agreement could take a decade, Mr Farage hailed the "can-do attitude" of the incoming president's team.

Boris Johnson is confident of a trade deal with the US

He also revealed he felt "grounds for optimism" following Theresa May's Brexit speech in which she announced the UK would quit the single market.

He said: "The Trump incoming presidency is offering our country a gift, a great gift, not just for business, not just for trade, but actually to strengthen our hand in negotiating with the European Union."


His remarks where made at an inauguration party overlooking the White House attended by congressmen, senators and governors but not by Mr Trump himself.

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Addressing the crowd, Mr Farage said Mr Trump was "Brexit plus, plus, plus" and that he was the only leader who makes him feel like an introvert.

Following a meeting with key members if Mr Trump's team earlier this month, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson declared Britain was "first in line" for a trade deal with the US and that the administration was keen to strike an agreement "fast".

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This upbeat tone was echoed by the governor of Mississippi Phil Bryant, who said: "We need to let businesses work with American businesses and reduce the regulation they are fighting for.

"Make sure they have open communication shore to shore, you are just across the pond, you can be one of our better and best partners if we let business work for them."

Britain has been looking to the US, the world's largest market, since voting for Brexit to strike a trade deal.

The UK is barred from negotiating trade deals until it has quit the EU.

However, the Trump administration has signalled to Mr Farage that talks could start shortly, before Britain has left the bloc.

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Watch live coverage of inauguration day on Sky News. Adam Boulton is in the US presenting a special Sky News programme - Trump: America's President - at midnight tonight.