'We signed it and it's done': Trump ratifies UK-US deal

Trade deal is a 'real sign of strength', says Sir Keir Starmer

- DAVID MADDOX

Sir Keir Starmer landed an important diplomatic victory when Donald Trump finally confirmed the implementation of the UK-US trade deal.

After "shaking hands" on the deal in a virtual meeting broadcast to the world last month, there had been concerns that Sir Keir still had not got the deal with the US in place.

Mr Trump confirmed the deal was "done" at a brief press conference outdoors at the G7 summit in Canada after the two met. The deal will now be in place by the end of the month and will mean zero tariffs on aerospace.

However, the aim of getting zero tariffs on steel from the UK is "still a work in progress".

Asked if the UK could be hit by future tariffs, the president said: "The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them. The prime minister has done a really good job. He has done what other people have been talking about for six years and he has done it."

He joked that Starmer was "slightly more liberal than I" but again confirmed their warm regard for each other.