The UK and US have struck a new trade deal. The agreement slashes tariffs on British car exports to the US from 27.5% to 10%. Steel tariffs have also dropped from 25% to zero. That’s a big win for British exporters.
But it’s not all good news. The baseline 10% tariffs on other goods – introduced by Donald Trump on his so-called “Liberation Day” last month – are still in place.
🇬🇧 Trump Surprised by the UK’s Size
When asked why the US chose to strike a deal with the UK, Trump seemed genuinely impressed by the UK’s size. “It opens up a tremendous market for us,” he said from the Oval Office.
“I was surprised to see how big your country is.”
Trump called the deal “very conclusive” and predicted it would “grow just of its own volition.”
🥩 Big Win for US Beef
US agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins praised the deal’s impact on American farmers. “This is going to exponentially increase our beef exports,” she said.
She called American beef “the safest, the best quality, and the crown jewel of American agriculture for the world.”
For years, the UK and EU have limited US beef imports over concerns about added growth hormones. But Rollins hinted that even more American produce could follow, saying, “All of the meats, all of the produce” are now on the table.
🤔 Starmer Avoids the Tough Questions
When BBC’s Chris Mason asked Keir Starmer if the UK is better off now than it was six months ago, before Trump’s tariffs, the Labour leader sidestepped the question.
“The question you should be asking is, is it better than where we were yesterday?” he said.
He then pointed to the benefits for British industries, highlighting reduced tariffs on steel, aluminium, and car exports – a major boost for companies like Jaguar Land Rover.
Starmer also mentioned the deal’s “significantly preferential treatment” for pharmaceuticals, though he admitted there are no tariffs yet in that sector.
“We said we had red lines on standards, particularly in agriculture,” he added. “We’ve kept to those standards.”
💬 Mixed Reactions
Not everyone is convinced the deal is a win for Britain. Journalist Faisal Islam pointed out the lopsided nature of the agreement, tweeting: “Errrm. The deal is: US trebles tariffs on the UK, and in return the UK cuts tariffs by two-thirds.”
Gina Miller doesn’t seem to think it is a good deal…
Ian Richardson wrote: “Watching Trump crow about the ‘great deal’ the US & UK have just done, I can’t help feeling uncomfortable. I’d much rather do deals with our European neighbours than with the dysfunctional US, with its horrendous food safety standards & totally erratic, unreliable & dangerous president.”
This is amusing.
Jon Sopel wrote: “Whatever the details of the US/UK trade deal, the story is going to be all the Westminster journalists being sent to the wrong JLR car plant for the presser. @Keir_Starmer is holding his news conference in Solihull, not Coventry where the hacks were sent.”
Carole Cadwalladr said: “Dear UK media, please, please, please do not cheerlead any deal that involves the UK kowtowing to demands from US tech companies. This is a potential disaster for Britain on multiple levels including & especially national security.”
Dr Neil Stone wrote: “My whole career as a doctor and scientist in the UK I used to look “across the pond” to the US as the world leader in science and medicine. It is sad to see that being dismantled in favour of quacks and pseudoscience.”
Saving jobs is great…not much talk of CREATING jobs.
The Labour Party wrote: “NEW: Labour has secured a deal with the US which will save thousands of jobs and benefit British workers, families, and firms. We promised to protect British car makers and save our steel. This deal delivers on that promise.”
Worrying..
WOW…
Finally, Ed Krassenstein wrote: “The US-UK “trade agreement” will leave the 10% US tariff in place and focus mostly on cars and steel. Seems more like a ploy to boost the stock market than anything very substantial.”
Related: Trump plans to change name of ANOTHER body of water – NOT satire
