Ireland’s Foreign Minister Simon Coveney has described an effort by the UK to reach a trade deal with the United States ahead of the European Union as “perverse nationalism.” “This idea that Britain can get there first is narrow-minded thinking, frankly. It’s a perverse nationalism when actually Britain and the EU should work together as partners,” he said in an interview with The Times of London on March 13. Coveney described how UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has “done quite a skilful job” in leading the UK through its Brexit deal, but that trust was vital for the UK in making trade deals outside of the EU. Coveney advocated Britain working with the EU and Canada to reach a joint trade deal with the United States, although the EU does not currently have plans for a major U.S. trade deal. “Rather than the EU and UK competing for attention in …