Sir Keir Starmer has held his first dialog with Donald Trump because the US president introduced tariffs on all UK imports to America on 3 April.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated the 2 leaders mentioned the “ongoing and productive discussions” on trade between the UK and the United States.
The pair additionally mentioned the warfare in Ukraine, Iran and up to date motion taken towards the Houthis in Yemen.
“The prime minister reiterated his commitment to free and open trade and the significance of defending the nationwide curiosity,” Sir Keir’s spokesperson stated.
It’s the first time the 2 leaders have spoken since Mr Trump unveiled an array of tariffs on international locations earlier this month, in what he branded “liberation day”.
This included a ten per cent tariff on all UK items imported to the US. A 25 per cent levy on automotive imports introduced earlier by Mr Trump additionally applies to the UK.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is because of maintain talks with the White House subsequent week amid efforts to strike a commerce deal, which Britain hopes can assist soften the brunt of the tariffs.
On Tuesday, vice-president JD Vance stated the US was making an attempt to safe a “nice” commerce cope with the UK and Mr Trump was “working very hard” on an settlement with Britain that would see damaging import taxes eased or lifted.
Nonetheless, Mr Trump stated on Thursday he was not racing to signal any agreements due to the revenues his new tariffs are producing.
The US president stated he was in “no rush” to strike any trade deals and that a number of international locations wished to succeed in offers “frankly … greater than I do”. Any agreements would come “at a sure level”, Mr Trump added.
British officers worry a ten per cent common tariff levied by the US president may very well be a everlasting function beneath his administration. However they’re hopeful a commerce deal may see the 25 per cent tariffs on metal, aluminium and automotive imports lifted or slashed.
President Trump’s preliminary sweeping tariffs triggered world financial issues and inventory market plunges.
The US president additionally recommended {that a} date for September was being set for him to go to the King within the UK.
There was hypothesis that the US might press for the UK to restrict its dealings with China as a part of commerce talks.
The chancellor stated it might be “silly” to chop ties with China simply to placate Mr Trump.
Ms Reeves will maintain talks with officers from the US administration when she travels to Washington to attend the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF) spring conferences with different finance ministers.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent will probably be there and British officers view him as one in all their more than likely allies in efficiently hanging a commerce deal.
“I will even be having conversations with the US administration while I’m there,” Ms Reeves stated on Thursday.
“The important thing factor for the British authorities is all the time appearing within the UK’s nationwide curiosity, and any deal that’s capable of be secured will all the time have front-and-centre British nationwide curiosity.”
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