I've recently visited the United States with fellow Members of Parliament in order to strengthen links between the U.S. and the United Kingdom - and to learn lessons on improvements we can make in Britain. I met many Senators, Congressmen and government officials to discuss - amongst other issues - trade, energy and security policy.
While in Washington DC, I met officials from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Capitol Hill also to discuss 'Brexit' and the mecha...nics of how the UK can build stronger trade relations with the United States after the process of leaving European Union begins, including with Congressman Charlie Dent who has tabled a resolution to this effect already. It was a pleasure to discuss the enduring friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom after the 'Brexit' vote too. I look forward to working more closely - and trading more strongly - with our friends and allies across the Atlantic in the years ahead.
Meetings with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) were also very useful in shaping future working relationships and better understanding ways in which Anglo-American security can be improved to the benefit of our peoples. It was also an honour to have the opportunity to attend a poignant memorial service in Chattanooga, Tennessee - alongside Congressman Chuck Fleischmann - to commemorate the military servicemen who died last year, during a terror attack. It reminds us all that our countries stand shoulder to shoulder, in good times and bad.