SIX new trade deals in line for UK as nations even offer experts to help speed up Brexit

MAJOR economies around the world are queueing up to make trade deals with Britain following the vote to leave the European Union (EU)

Australia, Canada, South Korea, India and Mexico are all understood to be keen to get around the negotiating table as soon as possible and American politicians are also eager to strike a deal.

US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan is calling for urgent talks on new trade agreements to ensure “a smooth” relationship after Brexit, despite the warnings from President Barack Obama that Britain would go the back of the queue in the event of a leave vote.

Mr Ryan, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate and one of the party’s most senior politicians, said: “Obviously it takes time to do something like this but I think it is something we should be working on.

“We should begin discussions with Great Britain to ease concerns so that we do have a smooth trade relationship with Great Britain, because they are our indispensable ally.”

Mr Ryan, who backs free trade as a tool to improve foreign relations, is not the only US politician calling on the administration to launch talks with London to make sure the "special relationship" is not damaged when Britain leaves the EU.

Utah Senator Mike Lee has proposed legislation requiring the US and Britain to “honour our current arrangements” until new bilateral deals are drafted and direct US trade representatives to begin negotiations "as soon as possible".

He said: “Our nation’s special relationship with the United Kingdom has promoted economic prosperity and security in both countries for over a hundred years.

“This relationship can and should be preserved, which is why we have introduced legislation that would minimise uncertainty and promote stability as the United Kingdom declares their independence from the European Union.”

Fellow Republican, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, said talks should begin immediately.

He said: “The United Kingdom has stood with us at the front lines of battle, and it should therefore be at the front of the line for a free trade agreement that benefits both our nations.

“At this time of transition for our ancestral ally, it is in our deepest interest to reaffirm the Special Relationship. And it is my hope that our other European allies will also move in the spirit of magnanimity, generosity, and continued friendship as they negotiate new partnerships with the United Kingdom.”

Meanwhile Business Secretary Sajid Javid, who is backing Stephen Crabb in the Tory leadership campaign, has moved to calm fears about future deals and is planning to lead international trade missions to attract inward investors.

Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond, who is supporting Home Secretary Theresa May's bid to become Prime Minister, said a global search for talented trade negotiators capable of striking the best deals was already under way.

He said: "I don't think we can only recruit people who are British.

"If we can find Australians, Americans who have got high-level skills in trade negotiation, let's recruit them as well."

New Zealand has offered to help out by sending over its top trade teams. Trade minister Todd McClay said Britain was a "long- standing friend" and he wanted "to be useful in any way we can be".