On Thursday, President Donald Trump is poised to announce a significant trade agreement with the United Kingdom. This landmark deal represents the first trade agreement the United States has made with a country that was subjected to new tariffs imposed by Trump earlier this month. The highly anticipated announcement is set to take place in the Oval Office, where Trump will outline the details of the agreement.
Although UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not be present in Washington, D.C., he is expected to join the event remotely, according to a report by CNBC's Eamon Javers. Trump has expressed his optimism regarding the deal, stating on Truth Social, "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." He emphasized the historical ties and alliance between the two nations, declaring it a "great honor" to make the United Kingdom the first country to receive such an announcement.
Despite the forthcoming announcement, 10 Downing Street hinted that negotiations with the U.S. are still underway. A spokesperson for Starmer stated, "Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace, and the Prime Minister will update later today." This statement followed a report from The New York Times about the U.S.-UK announcement. The spokesperson also reaffirmed that Starmer will always act in Britain’s national interest, highlighting the U.S. as an indispensable ally for both economic and national security.
In early April, Trump imposed a 10% blanket tariff on the UK as part of a broader strategy that included reciprocal import duties affecting nearly every country globally. The United Kingdom is also impacted by separate U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminum, and foreign-made vehicles. Following considerable market backlash and criticism, Trump retracted the reciprocal tariff plan, opting for a 90-day pause that established a uniform 10% tariff rate for all affected nations, excluding China. The President claimed this decision was influenced by numerous countries reaching out to negotiate new trade relationships with the U.S.
The upcoming trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom marks a pivotal moment in international trade relations, potentially paving the way for further deals in the future. As both nations work towards strengthening their economic ties, all eyes will be on the Oval Office announcement and Starmer’s subsequent updates on the ongoing negotiations.
