Donald Trump announces UK-US trade deal calling 'full and comprehensive' agreement a 'great honour'
by Danielle de Wolfe · LBCBy Danielle de Wolfe
By Alice Brooker
Donald Trump has announced a US-UK trade deal, calling it a 'full and comprehensive' agreement prior to a White House press conference.
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Donald Trump said it was a 'great honour' to do a 'historic' trade deal with the United Kingdom, after he teased late on Wednesday that he would be making a major announcement in Washington.
Speaking from the White House, Trump and Sir Keir Starmer revealed details of the deal, including cuts to tariffs on cars and food produce.
The US president had hinted the announcement of a “major trade deal” with a “big, highly respected country”, with a post to his Truth Social platform on Thursday noting a "very big and exciting day for the United States of America" lay ahead.
Moments later, Trump announced: "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."
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During the White House press conference, Trump said: "The deal includes billions of dollars of increased market access for American exports, especially in agriculture, dramatically increasing access for American beef, ethanol, and virtually all the products produced by our great farmers."
Starmer then went on to highlight the connection between the agreement and VE Day in a speech at the London Defence Conference on Thursday.
The announcement follows Starmer stating that said he will “always act in our national interest” with regard to the UK-US trade deal, and he will “deliver security and renewal for our country”.
He added: “As you know, 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.”
Earlier on Thursday, three sources familiar with the reported plans told the New York Times the president would announce a UK-US trade deal.
No 10 were said to be on lockdown where details are concerned.
One key highly anticipated element of the trade agreement was concessions on food and agriculture imports - amid concerns over US chlorinated chicken.
British ministers reiterated that they were not making concessions on agriculture and food standards as part of a trade deal with America.
It is understood that the concessions on US beef exports will pertain to high-quality beef only.
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The deal's timing "couldn't be more apt", Starmer said.
"To be able to announce this great deal on the same day, 80 years forward, almost at the same hour - and as we were 80 years ago with the UK, the US standing side by side - I think is incredibly important and makes this truly historic."
After reports of the trade announcement emerged, the British pound rose by 0.4% against the US dollar.
Trump said the trade announcement would be the "first of many".
A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the New York Times report.
Trump's deal with the UK will be the first agreement since he announced the tariffs.
Britain was not among the countries hit with high reciprocal tariffs during Trump's "liberation day" on 2 April.
The US president slapped a 10% tariff on countries across the globe during the announcement.
However the reciprocal tariffs were then suspended for 90 days as Trump rowed back on the decision.
However, the UK was still hit with a 25% tariff on cars, plus all steel and aluminium imports to the US.
A Number 10 spokesperson said: "The prime minister will always act in Britain's national interest - for workers, for business, for families.
"The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security.
"Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace and the prime minister will update later today."
Last week, Trump said he has "potential" trade deals with South Korea, Japan and India.
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The announcement arrives just two days after the UK revealed it had agreed a trade deal with India, which Sir Keir hailed as a “landmark deal”.
The Liberal Democrats called for MPs to be given a vote on any trade deal with the US so the agreement could be “properly scrutinised”.
Daisy Cooper, the party’s deputy leader and Treasury spokeswoman, 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.”
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Film tariffs are expected to form part of UK-US trade talks after Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on all foreign films imported to the United States.
In response to Trump's film tariffs, the UK government said trade talks with Washington were in the process and it was taking a "calm and steady approach" to discussions in an attempt to "ease pressure on UK businesses".
Philippa Childs, head of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu), said the UK industry is “only just recovering” from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, when many productions were delayed or cancelled.
“The UK is a world leader in film and TV production, employing thousands of talented workers, and this is a key growth sector in the Government’s industrial strategy,” she said.