UK PM Keir Starmer’s request to US President Donald Trump to exclude the UK from his new tariff proposal, set to take effect on April 2, was rejected. Starmer sought an agreement to protect British businesses from fresh export tariffs, but Trump did not show commitment. Although Trump promised to revisit the terms of the deal in a few months, the tariffs are set to begin in weeks, leaving the UK uncertain about the economic fallout.
Starmer’s Efforts to Protect UK Industries
PM Keir Starmer reached out to US President Donald Trump over the weekend, hoping to shield UK businesses from the tariffs. The luxury car market, including manufacturers like Aston Martin and Range Rover, stands to lose significantly. These companies rely heavily on US exports, and the new tariffs would damage their profits.
Starmer asked Trump for either an exemption or an extension to allow more time for negotiations. Donald Trump, however, did not grant the request. He only promised to review the terms later. Downing Street officials later clarified that no formal request for an exemption had been made. They stated that Starmer’s conversation was an update on the negotiations, not a plea for a delay.
Trump’s “Liberation Day” Tariffs Set to Hit UK Firms
President Donald Trump is set to announce sweeping tariffs on April 2, calling it “Liberation Day.” One key measure will be a 25% tariff on all imported cars. This will significantly impact UK companies like Aston Martin and Range Rover, which depend on US exports.
British businesses had hoped for a late exemption, but no relief appears on the horizon. They now face the full brunt of the new tariffs. The tariffs will likely cause significant financial losses for companies that rely on the US market. This only adds to the economic uncertainty the UK is already dealing with as it navigates its post-Brexit trade relationship with the US.
With no exception in sight, the UK now faces the reality of dealing with Trump’s tariffs. British industries are preparing for the financial consequences, uncertain of how this will impact their future with the US.