New York, Sep 23 (TIWN) US President Joe Biden has played down the chances of a post-Brexit free trade deal between his government and the UK, as he held talks with Boris Johnson at the White House.

The US president said he would discuss the issue "a little bit" with the UK prime minister, adding: "We're going to have to work that through." 

Downing Street said a direct deal with the US remained the "priority".  But UK ministers are pondering joining an existing North American trade pact instead, the BBC understands.  Mr Biden and Mr Johnson also discussed Northern Ireland, climate change and Afghanistan during the 90-minute meeting. 

The UK is keen to strike free trade deals around the world in the wake of leaving the European Union's single market - including with the US, with which annual trade was worth an estimated $273bn (£200bn) in 2019. 

A deal would encourage more business between the two countries by making it cheaper, usually by reducing or eliminating taxes called tariffs.