“Yes, this is exactly how I hoped things would work out” says May

“there are plenty of similar motivational initiatives in the pipeline”

The PM believes massive US tariff hikes are a welcome incentive for UK industry to work harder.

“I’ve already phoned President Trump to thank him for implementing the agreement we made during my visit.” said Mrs May “He’s assured me there are plenty of similar motivational initiatives in the pipeline**.

“So that’s all good. The President calls it the ‘Bend over and touch your toes, this might smart a bit’ approach, for some reason.”

Mrs May says this terrific deal with the US is just the boost David Davis needs for his Brexit talks, showing the UK is more than capable of forging strong trade links across the world.

“The timing of the announcement couldn’t be better,” she explained “as the positive effect of my great general election success had begun to wear off.”

“We’ll follow it up with a strong show of cabinet unity at the party conference next week, which will have Michel Barnier on the ropes.”

** The PM’s spokesman clarified that the President had not used these exact words “because some of them have more than three syllables.”