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The UK is optimistic about forging a strong trading relationship with the incoming Donald Trump administration, with the Chancellor’s second-in-command, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, insisting there are plenty of good post-Brexit deals to be done. Recognising Trump’s interest in striking a “good deal”, Jones said trade relationships could be deepened, particularly in technology and science, and dismissed concerns that Trump’s 20% import tariff could be imposed on the UK, which he said was not in a “trade deficit”. He also claimed that Lord Mandelson, recently appointed the UK’s new ambassador to the US, will be “brilliant” and could form a “very strong partnership with the new administration”.
However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was unimpressed, claiming Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer is in a “weak” negotiating position due to his desire to strengthen ties with the EU at the same time as with the US. Farage urged the government to “think outside the box” when dealing with the Trump administration, claiming the UK was at risk of squandering an “amazing opportunity” to negotiate free trade deals and get away from tariffs due to its preference for the EU over the US.
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel, a prominent voice in the Vote Leave Brexit campaign, acknowledged the lack of plans for rebuilding economic relationships, agreeing that long-term sustainable proposals were needed to move forward. Responding to Patel, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller warned against rushing into a UK-US free trade deal that could lower food standards and harm British farmers, claiming the Conservatives were competing with Reform UK to be “the most submissive with Trump”.
Despite Trump’s dislike of the EU, Starmer has insisted he can balance strong trading and security relationships on both sides. However, some nervousness has been detected as Lord Mandelson stages a charm offensive ahead of Trump’s inauguration, lauding his “straight talking and deal-making instincts” and talking up a new “Atlantic alliance
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