The Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey told MPs at PMQs both President Donald Trump and his ally – Tesla founder Elon Musk – need to hear ‘strong words’ from the UK government
Keir Starmer should prepare retaliatory tariffs against the US starting with imports of billionaire Elon Musk’s Teslas, Sir Ed Davey has suggested.
The Lib Dem leader told MPs at PMQs both President Donald Trump and his ally – the X owner Mr Musk – needed to hear “strong words” from the UK.
He said the UK government should begin preparing tariffs if the erratic President proceeds with his plan to hit steel imports worldwide with a 25% import tax. Sir Ed said this should begin with “American electric cars” – something the Lib Dems later branded “Tesla tariffs” to “hit Musk where it hurts”.
Trump’s executive order removes exemptions for the UK and other countries, meaning steel and aluminium exports to the US will be hit by tariffs from March 12. UK Steel has warned the tariffs “would be a devastating blow to our industry”.
Addressing the issue in the Commons on Wednesday, Sir Ed recalled British soldiers fighting alongside Canadians and Americans 80 years ago in the latter stages of the Second World War, and said the US was hitting its closest allies hardest.
He told MPs: “President Trump seems to have forgotten all this. His tariffs against steel and aluminium will hit Canada the hardest and will also hit jobs and the cost of living in our country.
“In reminding President Trump who America’s true and longstanding allies really are, will the PM also prepare a plan for tariffs in return?” Starting with tariffs on American electric cars.”
But the PM replied: “”He is right to reference our history, the 80-year anniversary, and of course we were fighting alongside the Americans and that is amongst the reasons we have a special relationship. British steel is an essential part of our heartlands and we will not abandon our skilled workforce.
“It needs a level-headed assessment of the implications which is what we’re going through at the moment. But we will always put our national interest first and steel workers first.”
No10 also declined to criticise the US President’s decision earlier this week. Asked if the US President’s tariffs were wrong, the PM’s official spokesman said: “We will take a considered approach to this.
“We will engage with the US on the detail, but the Government is clear we will work in our national interest and this issue is no different to that.” Asked if the UK is prepared to enact retaliatory tariffs, the spokesman said he was not going to “get ahead” of conversations with the steel industry.