Deputy First Minister Little-Pengelly raised concerns about how potential EU retaliatory tariffs could impact on Northern Ireland, given its links to Brussels through the Windsor Framework.

Under the agreement between the UK and EU, Northern Ireland remains in the EU single market for goods and would be required to apply any new tariffs on US imports.

The deputy first minister said there could be far reaching implications for businesses in Northern Ireland.

She urged the prime minister to consider extra protections for those firms which could be affected.

Speaking after the call First Minister O’Neill said: “We have particular circumstances in the north, and these need to be factored in to consideration.”

She also called for improvements to the reimbursement scheme aimed at helping those businesses impacted by any potential EU tariffs on US imports.

“It is clear from engagement with local businesses here that there is a need for the Duty Reimbursement Scheme to be simplified.”

It is understood the talks also focused on the wider economic deal which the UK hopes to strike with the US and the prime minister’s plans to improve the country’s domestic competitiveness, leaving it less exposed to global shocks.

The deputy first minister said she also used the talks to raise concerns about the effect of the rise in national insurance contributions for local employers and she asked the prime minister to set up a support package for businesses impacted.