Philip Hammond to meet with Donald Trump's administration amid trade row

The Chancellor is in the US to boost trade and economic ties

Chancellor Philip Hammond is in the US for key meetings (Getty)

Chancellor Philip Hammond has travelled to Washington in a bid to boost international trade amid a row over US export tariffs and Brexit divisions at home.

Mr Hammond will meet with key figures in Donald Trump’s administration, and attend meetings of the IMF, G7 and G20 and a gathering of Commonwealth Finance Ministers.

He will also visit New York to meet with CEOs of US financial sector giants that together have a market capitalisation of almost £600bn.

On Wednesday, Mr Hammond clashed with Theresa May over how the Government was spending for a “no deal” Brexit, meanwhile Conservative ministers are at loggerheads with the US government over recent tariffs imposed on a major UK manufacturer.

The Chancellor said: “I will be in the US this week to demonstrate that Global Britain is not just a phrase, it is a reality.

“I am looking forward to productive discussions with my international colleagues as we work together to ensure that economic growth works for everyone.”

Mr Hammond leaves behind him a party still struggling to agree over the UK’s approach to Brexit, with comments made by the Chancellor about how the country is preparing for a “no deal” scenario at the heart of the most recent spat.

But the Government’s post-Brexit strategy, to secure new trade deals with countries like the US, is also under pressure after American officials hit UK-based plane maker Bombardier with 220 per cent tariffs.

Theresa May and Philip Hammond were at loggerheads over planning for a ‘no deal’ Brexit (Getty)

At the IMF, G7 and G20, Mr Hammond will meet with fellow finance ministers and central bankers to discuss challenges like global productivity, digital taxation and climate sustainability.

It is the first time a Chancellor has attended the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting for seven years, where he will set out the Government’s ambitions for next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London.

A key topic of discussion will be climate sustainability in light of the recent hurricanes that have devastated the Caribbean and affected many thousands of citizens of Commonwealth countries.