During a meeting Friday at the White House, President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May agreed to hold preliminary talks on a trade deal, which can’t be finalized until the U.K. leaves the European Union.

The U.K. in June 2016 voted to exit the economic bloc, which was formed after World War II to promote economic growth and to avoid conflict among the 28 EU member countries. Trump and May agreed to set up working groups to consider ways to improve trade between the countries before the U.K. -- which consists of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales -- exits the EU. The so-called Brexit process may take up to two years.

In opening remarks made by the two leaders, May noted that trade between the two countries is already worth more than £150 billion pounds ($187 billion) per year.

May said they were discussing how to establish a trade negotiation agreement, “take forward immediate, high-level talks, lay the groundwork for a U.K.-U.S. trade agreement and identify the practical steps we can take now in order to enable companies in both countries to trade and do business with one another more easily.”

She added that she is convinced that a trade deal between the U.S. and the U.K. is in the national interest of both countries and would cement the crucial relationship that exists between the two nations, especially as the U.K. leaves the EU and reaches out to the world.

Given its desire to negotiate a free trade agreement with the U.K., it is unclear if the Trump Administration will continue trade talks with the EU through the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP). Those negotiations have been limping along nearly since TTIP was initiated in 2013.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) applauded the Trump Administration for recognizing the importance of free trade agreements to American agriculture and the entire U.S. economy. “We’re pleased that it will work for a stronger trade relationship with the United Kingdom through a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” NPPC president John Weber said.

Although NPPC had been supportive of TTIP, it was skeptical that U.S. hog farmers – or any other farmers – would get a good deal out of the agreement, given the EU’s intransigence on eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers on agricultural products, including pork.

“In pursuing better trade with the U.K. and working toward a free trade agreement with it, I think the administration recognized that TTIP isn’t going anywhere,” Weber said. “We’re pleased President Trump is instead focusing on bolstering our historic ties with the U.K.”