Trump might give UK special treatment in new trade shake-up
Former US president plans new import fees for foreign goods but considers UK exemption from his trade rules. British officials look to protect £130 billion service industry exports
In a game-changing move Donald Trump is thinking about letting UK skip billions in new trade fees that he wants to put on foreign goods. The soon-to-be president plans to add 10-20% costs on imports (and 60% for China) as part of his america-first ideas
British leaders hope to use the old UK-US friendship to get special treatment; this comes as Trump – whose mom came from Scotland – showed good feelings about Brexit before. The UKʼs main focus is protecting its service industry which brings in £130 billion each year
David Lammy and his team are working on talks with trumps people even though theres some past rough spots between them. The foreign secretary (who once said not-nice things about trump) has made new friends in trumps circle including JD Vance
This is a huge opportunity. If [Sir Keir] could explain why a bilateral trade deal between the UK and the US would enhance Donald Trumpʼs reputation‚ that would be a way to go
The UK might need to give up some things to get this deal – like changing how close it stays to EU rules. Car exports probably wont get any special treatment since theyʼre too important for US factories. Robert Lighthizer‚ trumps old trade guy is back to lead talks which makes things interesting
- UK economy could drop 0.7% if full fees happen
- Past chicken-washing rules stopped old trade deals
- New deal needs congress to say yes
- British services worth £130bn last year
