Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have mentioned the “productive negotiations” in the direction of a UK-US “economic prosperity deal”, Downing Avenue has stated.
The 2 leaders mentioned a doable deal in a telephone name on Sunday and agreed negotiations will “continue at pace”, in keeping with an announcement.
A Downing Avenue spokesperson stated: “The prime minister spoke to president Trump this evening.
“The president opened by wishing His Majesty the King finest needs and good well being.
“They mentioned the productive negotiations between their respective groups on a UK-US financial prosperity deal, agreeing that these will proceed at tempo this week.
“Discussing Ukraine, the prime minister updated the president on the productive discussions at the meeting of the Coalition of Willing in Paris this week. The leaders agreed on the need to keep up the collective pressure on Putin.
“They agreed to remain in contact within the coming days.”
Picture:
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Pic: PA
Earlier this week, Mr Trump introduced a brand new 25% tariff on all imported automobiles – threatening UK producers’ largest single export market.
Signing an government order on Wednesday, Mr Trump stated the tax would kick in on 2 April – what he has referred to as “liberation day”.
British producers comparable to Jaguar Land Rover, Bentley, Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce stand to be worst affected by the tariffs.
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Trump ‘needs lasting peace in Ukraine’
However the authorities has signalled it will not retaliate – mirroring its response to the tariffs on metal and aluminium imposed globally by the Trump administration earlier this month.
Tariffs are a key a part of Mr Trump’s efforts to reshape world commerce relations.
He plans to impose what he calls “reciprocal” taxes on “liberation day” that may match tariffs and gross sales taxes levied by different nations. The extent of potential tariffs and international locations affected stays unclear.
The UK hopes an financial take care of the US would spare the nation in a broader spherical of reciprocal tariffs.
On Friday, Mr Trump stated he was open to carving out offers with international locations searching for to keep away from US tariffs, however these agreements can be negotiated after 2 April.
Mr Trump has already positioned a 20% tax on all imports from China.
He additionally positioned 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, with a decrease 10% tariff on Canadian vitality merchandise along with the duties on all metal and aluminium imports, together with these from the UK.
The 2 leaders spoke final Sunday in a “brief call” in regards to the financial prosperity deal, and once more almost three weeks in the past forward of the US-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia.
Mr Starmer and Mr Trump appeared to have a heat private relationship after they met within the Oval Workplace final month.
However only a day later, the US president together with vice chairman JD Vance delivered a dressing all the way down to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy – marking a serious shift within the US strategy to Ukraine and cementing Mr Starmer’s place as a bridge between Europe and the US within the peace talks.
Mr Starmer and Mr Trump additionally spoke twice earlier than they met in individual.
