Keir Starmer is expected to give a press conference at around 4pm after promising an update on a new US-UK trade agreement following social media posts by Donald Trump
Keir Starmer will give a major update on a long-awaited trade deal with the US this afternoon.
The Prime Minister is set to give a statement from the West Midlands at around 4pm. It comes after the unpredictable US President set tongues racing overnight when he unexpectedly announced on social media that a deal with a “big, highly respected country” was coming.
He is set to give a press conference in the White House at around 3pm UK time. In a follow-up post on the Truth Social platform Trump wrote: “This should be a very big and exciting day for the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Press Conference at The Oval Office, 10A.M. Thank you!”
In a further post moments later he wrote: “The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come. Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!”
The Prime Minister is due to make a statement later after Mr Trump teased the announcement. Mr Trump’s first post is understood to have taken No10 by surprise, as Mr Starmer had been set to be focusing on VE Day commemorations.
Speaking to the London Defence Conference, Mr Starmer said: “Talks with the US have been ongoing and you’ll hear more from me about that later today. But make no mistake, I will always act in our national interest, for workers, businesses and families, to deliver security and renewal for our country.”
The Government has been pursuing a deal with the US to reduce the impact of sweeping tariffs imposed by Mr Trump last month. The unwelcome measures included a 10% levy on all UK exports and a 25% charge on steel, aluminium and cars.
In an interview with The Mirror last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said tackling the tariffs was a priority, but vowed to walk away if the deal was not right. She said ahead of make-or-break talks in Washington DC: “We’re not going to rush into something that isn’t the right thing for Britain. But we are intensely negotiating with our American counterparts to get a better deal for British industry and British jobs, and that is our focus at the moment.”
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She said the Government’s red lines include food standards and changes to the Online Safety Act, which the US adminstration believe restrict American tech giants. Ministers faces calls to let MPs vote on the terms of the deal.
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: “A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.
“If the Government is confident the agreement it has negotiated with Trump is in Britain’s national interest, it should not be afraid to bring it before MPs.”