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Keir Starmer and Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
The worst fears of Sir Keir Starmer are coming true today as China retaliated against Donald Trump by imposing its own huge tariffs on US goods. It means the world is in the midst of a global trade war which will damage economies across the globe including the UK.
At the same time, reports from America suggest the White House has no interest in a trade deal that will lift the 10% tariffs imposed on the UK. Instead, Donald Trump insisted Sir Keir was actually happy about the tariffs, on the grounds that they could have been higher.
The US Presiden's long-awaited tariffs have sparked economic turmoil at home and abroad as market panic set in following the major change to US tax policy.
The president’s announcement that all countries would now be subject to between 10% and 50% when selling goods to the world’s biggest economy saw an immediate backlash, with the US dollar slumping nearly 2%.
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Sir Keir Starmer has said he will be working tirelessly to ensure the UK can carve out an economic prosperity deal for the UK.
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But the worldwide chaos is set to hurt businesses in the UK and economists warn it could lead to more tax rises or spending cuts.
FOLLOW THE LIVE BLOG FOR THE LATEST ON THIS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
5 days ago13:10 Jonathan Walker
Emergency work for UK carmakers on the way
The Prime Minister is preparing changes to rules designed to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, to help the UK car industry following Donald Trump’s tariffs.
While the 2030 deadline may remain, rules requiring carmakers to cut the proportion of petrol and diesel cars they sell over time in the run up to the total ban may be relaxed.
It comes after the US imposed tariffs of 25% on cars from other countries including the UK.
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5 days ago12:55 Jonathan Walker
Number 10 defends abortion clinic protest ban
Downing Street has defended laws banning any sort of protest near abortion clinics, one of the issues that has caused Donald Trump's administration to claim free speech is under threat in the UK.
A Number 10 spokesperson said it was vital that women using abortion services can do so “without being subject to harassment or distress” and the right to protest does not “give people the right to harass others.
“It’s vital that a woman who decides to use abortion services has the right to do so without being subject to harassment or distress.”
Asked whether there is a problem with free speech in the UK, the spokesman said Britain has “a very proud tradition of free speech over many centuries, and we remain proud of it today”.
An anti-abortion campaigner at the centre of a free speech controversy involving the US government has been found guilty of breaching a “buffer zone” outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic.
Livia Tossici-Bolt was today convicted at Poole Magistrates’ Court of two charges of breaching the Public Spaces Protection Order on two days in March 2023.
The case involved the 64-year-old from Bournemouth holding a sign saying “Here to talk, if you want”.
Her case was highlighted by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, & Labour (DRL), a bureau within the US Department of State, which posted a statement on X saying: “We are monitoring her case. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.”
5 days ago12:36 Jonathan Walker
Downing Street refuses to say UK is 'happy' with tariffs
Downing Street declined to back Donald Trump’s claim that Sir Keir Starmer is “very happy” with Britain’s tariff treatment.
Asked whether it was right to say the Prime Minister was very happy, a Number 10 spokesman said: “I think you have the Business Secretary’s words… we’re disappointed by the tariffs that have been brought in.
“Clearly, there will be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken, both here and globally, but both the Prime Minister and the Business Secretary have been very clear over the last 24 hours that we will continue to act in the best interests of the UK, and we’re prepared to do so.”
5 days ago12:16 Jonathan Walker
China hits back at Donald Trump
China has announced it will impose a 34% tariff on imports of all US products, starting on April 10.
The new tariff matches the rate of the US “reciprocal” tariff imposed by American President Donald Trump this week.
Beijing’s commerce ministry also said it will impose more export controls on rare earths, which are materials used in high-tech products such as computer chips and electric vehicle batteries.
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5 days ago12:06 Jonathan Walker
Tony Blair urges Keir Starmer to avoid trade war with Trump
Former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has urged Sir Keir Starmer not to retaliate against Donald Trump’s tariffs by imposing fees on imports from the US.
Speaking to students at Kings College London, he said: "I don’t think it is in the UK’s best interest to retaliate."
5 days ago12:03 Martyn Brown
Keir Starmer in frantic diplomatic blitz as the fallout from Donald Trump’s tariffs continues.
The Prime Minister is expected to speak with international leaders over the next 48 hours as the world enters a “new era” for economic trade. The Prime Minister’s deputy spokesman said: “The engagement with international leaders this weekend, that is on how to respond to this new era. I
“It is fair to say there is a changing global economic landscape and that we are determined to tackle that.
“The Prime Minister believes that engagement with international leaders is a key part of that.”
He said the PM is taking a “cool and calm” approach and that is “the message he's going to be telling other international leaders”
5 days ago11:22 Jonathan Walker
Trump dismisses US stock market collapse
As US shares tumbled, Donald Trump insisted he had "expected" the reaction.
He said: "It's what is expected. The patient was very sick. The economy had a lot of problems."
"It went through an operation. It's going to be a booming economy. It's going to be amazing."
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5 days ago10:51 Jonathan Walker
Shock to the UK's economy cannot be avoided - and it could mean tax rises
Even if the UK manages to sign a trade deal with the US ending tariffs on UK goods, the global impact of Wednesday’s tariffs is expected to cause a significant economic shock to the UK.
Experts predicted that UK economic growth – already expected to amount to just 1% this year – could be up to 0.5 percentage points lower than expected over coming years as a result of the tariffs.
Thomas Pugh, economist at RSM UK, said he believed the tariffs would be “not far off” wiping out Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s fiscal headroom by the time she announces her second budget in the autumn.
Last week, the Office for Budget Responsibility warned that Ms Reeves’s headroom against her debt target would be at serious risk if tariffs were imposed.
If this proves to be correct, the Chancellor will face the prospect of imposing more spending cuts or tax rises if she does not change her fiscal rules.
5 days ago10:28 Martyn Brown
Market turmoil continues....
The Ftse 100 has plunged by 1.74% this morning as market jitters continue following Donald Trump's tariffs sledgehammer
Ftse100 (Image: Yahoo Finance)
5 days ago10:20 Jonathan Walker
Ireland hopes for EU Trump tariff deal
Irish premier Micheal Martin has urged the EU and US to find a “sensible landing zone” to resolve the dispute over tariffs.
Taoiseach Mr Martin said it was important that the European bloc adopts a “strategic” approach to the issue of retaliatory tariffs on products imported from the US, to avoid further tariff hikes by the US administration on certain sectors where Ireland has a strong presence in the US market, such as spirits.
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5 days ago10:10 Jonathan Walker
Trump is wrong - UK is not happy, says Minister
A Treasury minister said the UK was “disappointed” with US tariffs when asked if Donald Trump was right to say Britain was “very happy” with its treatment.
Exchequer secretary to the Treasury James Murray said the UK was in a “better position” than other countries because it is on the lowest band of tariffs but would keep all options on the table.
“The Prime Minister set out his reaction yesterday when he met businesses,” Mr Murray told Times Radio when asked whether Mr Trump was right.
“We’re disappointed at tariffs being imposed globally.”
5 days ago09:56 Jonathan Walker
UK in 'intense negotiations' with the White House
A Treasury minister said the Government is “negotiating intensively” and “at pace” to secure a deal with the US.
Asked why the Government was consulting on possible retaliatory action given most economists say it would lead to a bigger hit to the economy, exchequer secretary to the Treasury James Murray told Sky News: “We’ve been negotiating intensively to secure a deal since the Prime Minister went to Washington earlier this year and we’re continuing those negotiations at pace to secure a deal now.
“Obviously we’re engaging with businesses, we have been throughout this process.
“The next stage of engagement is to ask their input about what possible measures would look like in terms of the UK response, because we want to involve businesses in that decision, and we need to be clear that we keep all options on the table… we reserve the right to retaliate, but we want a deal, and our full focus is on that.”
5 days ago09:39 Jonathan Walker
Another blow for Starmer as US officials cast doubt on trade deal
American officials have been playing down the chances of the UK getting a trade deal that could eliminate tariffs entirely.
They believe that the 10% level announced by Donald Trump is the lowest rate possible. Some say that removing tariffs entirely would open the door to 'abuse', Bloomberg reports.
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5 days ago09:31 Jonathan Walker
Denmark defies Trump over Greenland
While tariffs have added to tensions between the US and EU, the row over Donald Trump's attempt to annex Greenland is also continuing.
Denmark’s Prime Minister is wrapping up her three-day visit to Greenland after telling the US “you cannot annex another country” – even when it comes to questions of international security.
Mette Frederiksen travelled to the strategically critical Arctic island as US President Donald Trump spoke about taking control of it.
He argues that Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory belonging to the Kingdom of Denmark, is critical to US security.
A week ago, American vice president JD Vance visited a remote US military base in Greenland and accused Denmark of underinvesting in the territory.
Ms Frederiksen pushed back against the US criticism as she spoke on Thursday alongside Greenland’s incoming and outgoing leaders. She argued that Denmark, a Nato ally, has been a reliable friend.
5 days ago09:18 Jonathan Walker
Tax rises are now more likely, say experts
Oxford Economics believes the UK economy will grow more slowly after President Trump imposed tariffs on US imports.
Chief UK Economist Andrew Goodwin said: "It's likely that the government will need to increase defence spending from the planned 2.5% of GDP to 3% or more. Manifesto pledges not to increase tax will likely need to be revisited, and the Chancellor may also look to squeeze spending further.
"Another change of fiscal rules, possibly excluding defence spending, cannot be ruled out.”
5 days ago09:09 Jonathan Walker
Starmer to 'keep calm and carry on' but UK could impose its own tariffs on US
Britain is ready to strike back against the US unless a trade deal scrapping Donald Trump’s tariffs on UK goods is agreed within weeks. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vowed to remain “cool and calm” after the US president announced fees of 10% would be levied on imports from the UK and insisted: “A trade war is bad for working people and bad for our businesses.”
But he also warned “nothing is off the table” as the Government launched a consultation asking businesses for their views on retaliatory tariffs, which could be charged on key US products such as Bourbon whiskey, motorcycles, guitars and jeans. The consultation is due to run until May 1 – and the threat of charges on US imports will be lifted if the White House agrees to a trade deal before then, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed.
Read the full story here
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5 days ago09:07 Jonathan Walker
UK car industry needs support
Sir Keir Starmer must provide support for UK carmakers to prevent jobs being lost as a result of Donald Trump’s tariffs, industry experts have warned. A 25% tariff on all vehicles exported to the US came into force on Thursday, while Mr Trump’s 10% tariff on other UK products will hit exports of car parts.
Prof David Bailey, of Birmingham University’s Department of Management, said British carmakers were already squeezed by falling sales in China, stagnant demand in EU countries and difficulties convincing motorists to switch to electric vehicles. He said: “Tariffs will make UK exports to the US more expensive. That will reduce demand. It’s going to hit sales and therefore production in the UK. It means lower profits and therefore job losses.”
Read the full story here
5 days ago09:05 Jonathan Walker
Doubts about whether the UK can get a trade deal
The British government is hoping to agree a trade deal with the US to end the tariffs. However Whitehall officials say this could take more than a month to agree, if it ever happens.
Word from the US is that Mr Trump's administration is open to a UK trade deal but the priority may be to sign agreements with countries with higher tariffs than the UK, which has one of the lowest tariffs at 10%.
5 days ago09:03 Jonathan Walker
UK share prices plummet
The UK’s top stocks slid further in value this morning after worries over US tariff plans shook the global financial markets.
London’s FTSE 100 Index of companies dropped by 0.68% to 8,416.71 in early trading.
Banking stocks were among the heavier fallers, with Asia-focused firm Standard Chartered dropping by around 4%.
Mining and commodity stocks were also among the fallers, after specific tariffs on metal production, such as aluminium.
Elsewhere in Europe, the French Cac 40 index was 0.68% lower and the German Dax was 0.71% lower.
It came after further declines in the Asian markets after heavy losses across global stock markets on Thursday.
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong was down 1.5% and Japan’s Nikkei dropped 2.4%, adding to losses in the previous session, as traders continued to digest the impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariff plans.
Meanwhile, the pound took a step back on Friday, dipping by 0.33% to 1.305 against the US dollar, having risen to its highest level since November last year overnight.
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5 days ago08:57 Jonathan Walker
Keir Starmer plans emergency economic package
The Government will make a series of announcements to strengthen the economy in the face of Donald Trump's tariffs, it's reported.
The Prime Minister will speed up publication of an industrial strategy to support businesses. Rules requiring carmakers to sell electric vehicles will also be watered down.
5 days ago08:51 Jonathan Walker
British people 'concerned' admits David Lammy
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said people across the country were “very concerned” about how the move to slap 10% import taxes on goods would hit their own finances, and added “all options” remain on the table to respond in the national interest.
Ministers have insisted they will remain “cool and calm” as they seek to secure an economic deal to mitigate the damage to Britain, but are not ruling out the possibility of retaliatory levies on a range of American products.
Asked whether it was time for the UK to stand up to Mr Trump, Mr Lammy told reporters following a meeting with Nato counterparts in Brussels: “The United Kingdom, like France, is a great maritime nation.
“We are a nation that believes in open trade, and I regret the return to protectionism in the United States, something that we’ve not seen for nearly a century.
“As you know, we are consulting with business and industry. At this time, we are engaged in discussions with the United States to strike an economic agreement and an economic deal.
“And of course, we have been absolutely clear that all options are on the table as we ensure the national interests of the British people, who will be very concerned at this time about how this affects the bottom line for them and their economic welfare.
“We will put their national interest first, and it’s in their national interests to be negotiating with the United States an economic agreement at this time, but keeping all options on the table.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has gone further than the UK in criticising Mr Trump's decision, denouncing it as “brutal and unfounded” decision after 20% tariffs were hiked on the EU.
The US President’s announcement on Wednesday sent stock markets tumbling across the globe, with the Prime Minister warning it marks the beginning of a “new era” in world trade.
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5 days ago08:49 Jonathan Walker
Donald Trump insists (wrongly) that Keir Starmer is happy with tariffs
Donald Trump insisted Sir Keir Starmer was “very happy” with Britain’s tariff treatment.
Despite the UK Government having made clear its disappointment in the tariffs, the US President told journalists on board Air Force One late on Thursday that the Prime Minister was “very happy” with the result.
Mr Trump said: “We have a very good dialogue. I think he was very happy about how we treated them with tariffs.”
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