Trump's admiration for 'renegade' Brexit Britain may spare us tariff pain

DONALD Trump's respect for the UK breaking away from the "bureaucratic blob" of the EU could lead him to waive tariffs on our exports, it has been claimed.

- Katie Harris

It came as sources told how the incoming US President warned Russian despot Vladimir Putin not to escalate the war in Ukraine when the pair spoke in a call last week.

Mr Trump has vowed to impose 20% fees on foreign imports with 60% on those from China when he returns to the White House next year to pursue his "America first" policy.

But the Republican could make an exception for the UK because of Brexit, according to Democrat New Jersey governor Phil Murphy. He said his "gut feeling" was that Mr Trump has the view: "These guys had the courage to pull out of this big bureaucratic blob and I have some sympathy with the renegade who has courage."

Mr Murphy told Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: "My gut tells me no [the UK won't be hit with tariffs], but if I'm China, I'm fastening my seat belt." It came as Tory boss Kemi Badenoch hailed Mr Trump's victory in last week's US presidential election as a "golden opportunity" to revive talks on a UK-US trade deal put on ice by outgoing President Joe Biden.