Boris Johnson is expected to formally open trade talks with the US before he begins discussions with the European Union, the Telegraph has learned.

US diplomats believe the Prime Minister is poised to seek Cabinet authorisation to open trade talks directly with America on a visit to Washington next month.

British civil servants have drawn up advice for ministers on the “pros and cons” of starting trade talks with America before beginning them with the European Union, the Telegraph understands.

A UK government source who has seen the advice said the argument for going to the US first is to show: “We mean business and we’re not messing around.”

It would also aim to avoid becoming “trapped” by Brussels negotiators like Theresa May was, and “negate some of the concerns of the EU trying to play the ball in the way they want”, the source said.

“The political signal would be - 'We’ve got the capacity to do this at the same time, don’t hold this up'.”

A source briefed directly on plans in Washington said the US was “impatient to get started”.