Negotiations on a UK-US free trade deal have been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus crisis, raising fresh doubts about whether an agreement can be struck before Donald Trump faces re-election in November.

The Telegraph understands that formal talks were due to start in the week beginning March 23, with Liz Truss, the International Trade Secretary, flying to Washington DC with her top trade officials.

However the plans, which would have seen around 100 politicians and negotiators discuss terms over multiple days, were cancelled along with events across all aspects of public life as lockdowns were announced due to the virus outbreak.

There is no new date agreed for a restart, despite political will on both sides, with the UK and US governments in emergency management mode as they tackle the twin crises of a worldwide pandemic and a potential global recession.

One idea being considered is to begin the talks virtually, with teams of officials negotiating through video conferences, although there is an acceptance from some involved that such a process would be less efficient.