Starmer risks 'epic fail' with US trade deal

WE will suffer an “epic fail” if India wins a trade deal with the United States ahead of the UK, Sir Keir Starmer has been warned.

- By David Williamson

Hopes of striking a speedy deal with the US have been dealt a blow with the White House allegedly treating the UK as a second-order priority.

The UK has failed to make it into the first phase of negotiations the Trump administration will pursue, with officials reportedly focused on nailing deals with Asian countries.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said countries including India, South Korea and Japan “have been the most forthcoming” in their readiness to do deals.

Andrew Griffith, the shadow business and trade secretary, blasted the PM for chasing a trading relationship with the European Union instead of clearing barriers with the US.