The US Presidential administration has reportedly clashed with the UK over the imposition of "unnecessary obstacles" for US defence firms aiming to operate in the UK. It's been reported that the Biden administration has threatened, if restrictions are not removed, to limit its sharing of intelligence.
The row has reportedly kicked off over the takeover of British firm Ultra Electronics, a supplier of secret tech to nuclear submarines. Cobham, the private equity-backed buyer, is another UK defence business.
The proposed deal will in effect put Ultra under the control of the American Advent International, which has owned Cobham for the past 18 months, selling off most of its assets until this point. Intelligence sources said Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng will jeopardise future partnerships between the UK and US if he blocks the £2.6billion sale of Ultra to Boston-based Advent, reports The Express.
