PM: 'Nobody wants a trade war' as Trump's tariffs loom

SIR Keir Starmer said it was likely that Donald Trump's tariffs would hit the UK and promised to act in the national interest in response.

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The Prime Minister suggested that retaliatory tariffs were possible but does not want a trade war.

The UK will seek to carve out an exemption, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, but could not give a timescale for when he expects to get the taxes on UK imports reversed.

Trump is set to unveil sweeping tariffs on goods from around the world today, an event the US president has dubbed "liberation day".

Sir Keir's Government has been trying to negotiate an economic deal with the US, which it is hoped could protect UK businesses from the worst impacts of Trump's plans.

The Prime Minister told Sky News: "The likelihood is there will be tariffs. Nobody welcomes that.