Starmer and Reeves try to ride three horses with US, EU and China trade ties

The prime minister and his chancellor face political pressure at home and abroad as they look to navigate the international stage. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Media

Riding two horses is hard enough, but diplomats are joking in private that Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves are trying to ride three.

At the International Monetary Fund summit in Washington this week, Reeves sought to position the UK as a beacon of free trade that is open to business with the EU, US and China.