The United Kingdom’s trading relationship with the United States is “fair and balanced,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office insisted, after US President Donald Trump said that the UK was “out of line”.
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The prime minister trusts Trump to keep his word, Starmer’s office at 10 Downing Street said after the US president suggested he thinks a deal can be “worked out” to avoid slapping tariffs on the UK.
Trump suggested in comments overnight that he is poised to expand tariffs to both the UK and the European Union, but added that he thinks a deal can be done with Britain.
The looming prospect of a trade war with the US threatens to overshadow Starmer’s meeting with EU chiefs.
Asked by the BBC early on Monday if he will target the UK with tariffs, Trump said: “UK is out of line but I’m sure that one … I think that one can be worked out.”
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The US president also said discussions with Starmer have “been very nice”, adding: “We’ve had a couple of meetings. We’ve had numerous phone calls. We’re getting along very well.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman was asked if Starmer believes he can trust Trump to keep his word.