Moves by the British government to override parts of its Brexit deal with the EU could damage their chances of landing a lucrative trade deal with the US.
Reports that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is planning to dump the 'Northern Ireland protocol' have divided opinion on this side of the Irish Sea.
Procedures aimed at avoiding a hard border form part of the withdrawal agreement will be “eliminated” by the UK internal market bill, which will be published this week.
However, the decision by Mr Johnson's government to play hard ball with the EU could have far reaching implications for future trade relationships between the UK and US.
In the past senior figures in Irish America have warned that any attempts to undermine the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) could have far reaching consequences.
Congressman Richard Neal, who is the chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures has previously warned that the GFA must be protected.
“The American dimension to the Good Friday agreement is indispensable,” he said.
“We oversee all trade agreements as part of our tax jurisdiction.”
Earlier this month Mr Neal saw off a challenge to his congress seat meaning he remains in charge of the influential committee.
The Massachusetts based politician believes there would be little support for any pact that undermines the GFA.
“I would have little enthusiasm for entertaining a bilateral trade agreement with the UK, if they were to jeopardise the agreement,” he said.
Concern for the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement goes right to the top of politics on the other side of the Atlantic.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives, has previously made clear that Congress would not approve any US-UK trade agreement that damages the GFA.
“Whatever form it takes, Brexit cannot be allowed to imperil the Good Friday agreement, including the seamless border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, especially now, as the first generation born into the hope of Good Friday 21 years ago comes into adulthood,” she said.
US based opposition to any Brexit deal that endangers the agreement is likely to have cross party support.
Prominent republican congressman Peter King, who a long-standing interest in Irish affairs, has previously warned against damaging an open border in Ireland.
“I would think anyone who has a strong belief in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday agreement the open border would certainly be willing to go against the president,” he said.
