Republican House Speaker has announced that the US is read to forge a bilateral trade deal with the UK 'as soon as possible'.

Paul Ryan called Brexit a 'real opportunity for our two nations', despite Barack Obama's claim last year that leaving the EU would put the UK at the 'back of the queue'.

Comparing the shock vote to leave with Donald Trump's election victory, Ryan offered Britain the US's support in trying to make Brexit work.

‘Now that Article 50 has been invoked, the UK and the EU will determine the best path forward over the course of these negotiations,' he said.

Paul Ryan (pictured with Philip Hammond) called Brexit a 'real opportunity for our two nations', despite Barack Obama's claim that leaving the EU would put the UK at the 'back of the queue'

Mr Ryan visited Chancellor Philip Hammond at 11 Downing Street on the day that the Prime Minister received the backing of Parliament to call a snap election in June

‘We want the parties to come together and strike a lasting agreement, a strong UK-EU relationship is in all of our best interests.'

Speaking at the Policy Exchange think tank in London, he added: 'We will stand with you through all of it. We're going to be with you through every step of the way.'

He added: 'We are committed to working with President Trump and your Government to achieve a bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Britain.

'This is one of the bipartisan messages I bring with me, I bring Democrats and Republicans here to this room to this country today, to say that the United States stands ready to forge a new trade agreement with Great Britain as soon as possible so that we may further tap into the great potential between our two people.'

Trump announced his intention to secure a trade deal with Britain earlier this year, when Theresa May became the first world leader to meet him at the White House.

During his speech, Mr Ryan was asked about the threat posed by North Korea and the possibility of a pre-emptive strike on the country.

He responded: 'Of course we don't want to get all kinetic, but we must keep all options on the table.'

Mr Ryan visited Chancellor Philip Hammond at 11 Downing Street on the day that the Prime Minister received the backing of Parliament to call a snap election in June.

Offering his support of Theresa May's decision, Mr Ryan said 'times like these call for bold leadership', added that she was 'certainly setting the standard'.