Donald Trump appears to have performed an abrupt U-turn on his comments that the NHS would be “on the table” in post-Brexit trade talks.

The US president sparked an almighty row when he said that the “NHS or anything else, a lot more than that” would be in the sights of US firms in any deal.

But later on Tuesday he directly contradicted himself, saying instead that “I don’t see it being on the table”.

In an interview with ITV, Mr Trump added: “Somebody asked me a question today, and I say, ‘Everything’s up for negotiation’ because everything is, but I don’t see that being – that’s something that I would not consider part of trade.

“That’s not trade.”

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Details of the US bargaining position released in February said clearly that Washington would seek “full market access” for US drugs companies and “non-discriminatory treatment with respect to the purchase and sale of goods and services” by state bodies in Britain.

Weakening the NHS’s close control on drug prices and access to rich UK markets are thought to be important priorities for the Americans in a trade deal.

Mr Trump’s U-turn followed a huge backlash from unions, Conservative leadership candidates and opposition politicians.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, tweeted on Tuesday: “Dear Mr President. The NHS isn’t on the table in trade talks – and never will be. Not on my watch.”

Mr Trump’s eventful visit to the UK will continue on Wednesday, when he is expected to meet Tory leadership hopefuls Michael Gove and Jeremy Hunt.

He also held out the prospect of a meeting in the future with Jeremy Corbyn after snubbing him during this visit.

Asked if he could imagine negotiating a trade deal with a government led by Mr Corbyn, the president told ITV: “It’s always possible. Anything is possible.”

He also claimed it would have been “inappropriate” to meet the Labour leader because “a lot of things are happening right now” in the UK.