US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom, marking the first deal since his global tariffs were introduced. The agreement is seen as a major political boost for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.Trump announced this development one month after implementing extensive tariffs on US trading partners on his April 2 “Liberation Day”Trump took to Truth Social saying that it “should be a very big and exciting day for the United States of America and the United Kingdom.”He described the US-UK agreement as “a full and comprehensive one” and indicated it would lead to “many other deals”.“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,” the US president said in a separate post.“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!” he added.Trump plans to elaborate on the agreement at a White House news conference scheduled for 10.00 am (1400 GMT).The prime minister’s office indicated Starmer would provide an “update” regarding US trade discussions later that day. “As you know, talks with the US have been ongoing and you’ll hear more from me about that later today,” Starmer stated at a defence conference in London.The president instituted a 10% import tax on British goods, alongside 25% tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminium, arguing this would increase domestic factory employment.British negotiators have prioritised reducing or eliminating US import taxes on UK automobiles and steel. The United States serves as the primary destination for British vehicles, receiving over 25% of UK automotive exports in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics.UK has requested pharmaceutical tariff exemptions, while the United States seeks increased agricultural market access. Starmer’s administration maintains it will preserve UK food standards, refusing to accept chlorine-washed American chicken or hormone-treated beef.A trade deal with the UK would be symbolically important and a welcome relief for British exporters.However, it is unlikely to ease Donald Trump’s main concern—America’s trade deficits—which led to the global tariffs in the first place.Last year, the US actually had an $11.9 billion goods trade surplus with the UK, and imports from Britain made up just 2% of total US goods imports, according to Census Bureau data.
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