British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is prepared to begin trade talks with the United States within the coming two weeks, the Telegraph reported on Sunday.

The British government's "red lines" for the trade negotiations, due to be published next week, are expected to push back against U.S. demands for its pharmaceutical firms to have greater access to the U.K. market, the report www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/02/23/boris-johnson-piles-pressure-eus-brexit-time-wasters-kick-starting said.

The moves on trade with the United States will be seen as an attempt to put further pressure on the European Union, whose leaders have questioned whether a trade deal can be agreed before the end of year, the report added.

Johnson is expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in June.