PM urged to show some mettle in US tariff trade war

MPs yesterday urged Sir Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to “toughen up” and hit back against Donald Trump’s tariff trade war.

- By Steph Spyro Deputy Poltical Editor

The Prime Minister warned of UK retaliation after the US president heaped 25% charges on all steel and aluminium imported into America — and insisted all options were available.

Sir Keir told the House of Commons: “I’m disappointed to see global tariffs in relation to steel and aluminium. We will take a pragmatic approach.”

He said the UK was negotiating an economic deal including tariffs, adding: “But we will keep all options on the table.”

It came after Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the UK must be “more robust” with Mr Trump “like the Europeans and like the Canadians”.

The UK has argued the tariffs will also push up costs for American taxpayers, with some British steel used to build US navy submarines. Plans to carve out a trade deal between the nations are likely to feature when Mr Reynolds meets US officials in Washington DC next week.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “Being repeatedly kicked by the other side and doing nothing is not an effective negotiating position. The Business Secretary needs to toughen up.

Self-harm

“Meanwhile, the Conservatives would roll over and beg Trump for a bad trade deal that sells out British farmers and our NHS.