Donald Trump has announced a significant new trade agreement with the UK, marking the first such deal with a foreign country since his implementation of controversial tariffs.
Since resuming his presidency in January, the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, has imposed a series of tariffs on countries worldwide.
These measures have drawn considerable criticism from global leaders, but the United States has now successfully negotiated a new trade agreement with its longstanding ally, the United Kingdom.
On May 7, Trump hinted at the major announcement via Truth Social, stating: “Big News Conference tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M., The Oval Office, concerning a MAJOR TRADE DEAL WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF A BIG, AND HIGHLY RESPECTED, COUNTRY. THE FIRST OF MANY!!!”
The UK government, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, has been seeking to mitigate the effects of the extensive tariffs introduced by Trump last month. These tariffs include a ten percent levy on all UK exports and a 25 percent charge on steel, aluminum, and vehicles.
During his statement at the White House, Trump described the pact with the UK as a ‘great deal for both countries’.
In contrast, Starmer referred to the occasion as ‘a really fantastic, historic day’ while discussing the trade agreement with US President Donald Trump.
According to Trump, the US-UK trade agreement is ‘a full and comprehensive one’ that will ‘cement the relationship’ between the two nations ‘for many years to come’.
Prior reports indicated the possibility that the UK might lower some tariffs on American goods and adjust the digital services tax, which predominantly impacts US technology firms.
Nonetheless, Starmer has dismissed the idea of lowering food standards to permit more US agricultural imports or relaxing the Online Safety Act.
A spokeswoman for Number 10 stated: “The Prime Minister will always act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business, for families.
“The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security.”
Before the trade deal announcement, the British Prime Minister pledged to ‘deliver security and renewal for our country’.
Addressing the London Defence Conference, Starmer commented: “Talks with the US have been ongoing and you’ll hear more from me about that later today.
“But make no mistake, I will always act in our national interest, for workers, businesses and families, to deliver security and renewal for our country.”
Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader and Treasury spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, stated: “A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.
“If the Government is confident the agreement it has negotiated with Trump is in Britain’s national interest, it should not be afraid to bring it before MPs.”