Starmer says UK has ‘range of levers’ as he promises to respond to Trump tariffs with ‘cool and calm heads’ – UK politics live
Prime minister says the UK government is ‘prepared’ and would not agree economic deal with US if he does not think it is good for UKGood morning. Today we are getting the considered UK government response to the colossal announcement from President Trump last night about global tariffs that could reset the way the world economy works. Rather, we are getting the considered initial response. Keir Starmer has ruled out immediate retaliation, and he promises to keep a “cool head” as he decides how to respond “in the coming days and weeks’.Here is Pippa Crerar’s overnight story about the Trump announcement.Starmer said that the government would act with “cool and calm heads” as it decides how to respond to Trump’s tariffs “in the coming days and weeks”. He said:I want to be crystal clear – we are prepared.Indeed, one of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a cool head.He said there would be “an economic impact” from the tariffs on the UK. But he did not say how serious they would be.He insisted that has “a range of levers” available that it can use in response, and he said retaliatory tariffs were not “off the table”.We move now to the next phase of our plan …We have a range of levers at our disposal, and we will continue our work with businesses across the country to understand their assessment of these options.Starmer said he would not agree an economic deal with the US if he did not think it was good for the UK.Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal, one that strengthens our existing trading relationship – they continue, and we will fight for the best deal for Britain.Nonetheless, I do want to be clear I will only strike a deal if it is in the national interest and if it is the right thing to do for the security of working people.Starmer said that he would be guided only by the UK national interest.Last night, the President of the United States, acted for his country. That is his mandate.Today, I will act in Britain’s interests, with mine … Continue reading...
Prime minister says the UK government is ‘prepared’ and would not agree economic deal with US if he does not think it is good for UK
Good morning. Today we are getting the considered UK government response to the colossal announcement from President Trump last night about global tariffs that could reset the way the world economy works. Rather, we are getting the considered initial response. Keir Starmer has ruled out immediate retaliation, and he promises to keep a “cool head” as he decides how to respond “in the coming days and weeks’.
Here is Pippa Crerar’s overnight story about the Trump announcement.
Starmer said that the government would act with “cool and calm heads” as it decides how to respond to Trump’s tariffs “in the coming days and weeks”. He said:
I want to be crystal clear – we are prepared.
Indeed, one of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a cool head.
He said there would be “an economic impact” from the tariffs on the UK. But he did not say how serious they would be.
He insisted that has “a range of levers” available that it can use in response, and he said retaliatory tariffs were not “off the table”.
We move now to the next phase of our plan …
We have a range of levers at our disposal, and we will continue our work with businesses across the country to understand their assessment of these options.
Starmer said he would not agree an economic deal with the US if he did not think it was good for the UK.
Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal, one that strengthens our existing trading relationship – they continue, and we will fight for the best deal for Britain.
Nonetheless, I do want to be clear I will only strike a deal if it is in the national interest and if it is the right thing to do for the security of working people.
Starmer said that he would be guided only by the UK national interest.
Last night, the President of the United States, acted for his country. That is his mandate.
Today, I will act in Britain’s interests, with mine … Continue reading...
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