Minister fails to rule out retaliation over Trump tariffs
A cabinet minister has refused to rule out retaliatory tariffs on the US but insisted it would be better to negotiate “behind the scenes” with Donald Trump’s administration.
Bridget Phillipson also said the government “hopes and expects” the preferential tariff agreement with the U.S. will continue after the president announced 15 percent global tariffs following the Supreme Court’s previous ruling that reduced import duties.
The US president’s latest statement has left Britain’s trade strategy in shambles, as questions have arisen over whether previous agreements with the US are still valid.
Asked whether Britain planned to retaliate against Mr Trump’s latest tariff threat, Ms Phillipson told Sky News: “We always stand up for what is right for Britain. And I think the prime minister has shown that with the approach he has taken on Greenland.”
“But the truth is, if you want to get things done, it’s better to do it behind the scenes.”
Asked if we could fight back with our own fees, the education minister said: “In reality, when you have serious conversations, you often get more done when you work closely across governments behind the scenes, rather than in front of cameras or in public.
“And we have a really strong relationship with the United States; it’s not about one president or prime minister.
“This is about a long-term, lasting relationship that is right for our country and right for national security, and also for us to work together on key questions like defense is really important at a time of significant global instabilities.”
He stressed that talks with the US were continuing, saying ministers wanted “the best possible deal for British businesses”.
Asked about the implications of the new rate for the UK, Ms Phillipson said: “We have secured a preferential agreement.
“We hope and expect that this will continue through the Prime Minister’s work with the US government and President Trump, but these discussions are ongoing.
“This is an evolving situation. But of course we want to get the best possible deal for British businesses.”
“I understand the uncertainty this creates for them, but they can rest assured that we will always work to ensure they get everything they need.”
The “reciprocal tariffs” that the US President imposed on the rest of the world under emergency powers legislation last April were overturned by the US Supreme Court on Friday, in a major blow to the president’s economic agenda.
On Friday, Mr. Trump said he would replace the court-swallowed tariffs with a 10 percent tax on all goods entering the United States. But in a post on Truth Social on Saturday, he announced plans to increase that to 15 percent.
But after the ruling, he doubled down on imposing taxes, claiming the court was “driven by foreign interests” and that other countries were “dancing in the streets, but I assure you they won’t be dancing for long.”
Britain had previously received the lowest tariff rate of 10 per cent, and the subsequent deal struck by Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump led to further cuts for Britain’s steel industry and car makers.
But the US president’s latest tariff announcements raise questions about whether these agreements are still valid.
Officials are currently understood to believe this will not affect much of Britain’s trade with America, including preferential deals in steel, cars and pharmaceuticals.
A UK government spokesman said on Friday: “This is for the US to determine but we will continue to support UK businesses as more details are announced.
“We expect to maintain our privileged trading position with the US in any scenario and will work with the administration to understand how the decision will affect tariffs on the UK and the rest of the world.”
