Britain’s Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has pledged to remain composed following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on UK imports. Despite the move, Reynolds emphasized that the UK remains committed to securing a trade deal with the United States.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that Britain would be subject to the lowest tariff rate among affected nations, while other countries face steeper import duties.
In response, Reynolds assured that the UK government is actively working to minimize the economic fallout.
“The U.S. is our closest ally, so our approach is to remain calm and committed to doing this deal, which we hope will mitigate the impact of what has been announced today,” Reynolds stated.
He also noted that the UK has multiple options available and will continue engaging with British businesses to assess the potential consequences of the tariffs.
Britain has been seeking stronger economic ties with Washington, particularly in areas like technology, and hopes that a trade agreement could lead to the reversal of these import duties.
Unlike the European Union and other major economies, the UK has refrained from immediate retaliation against previous U.S. tariffs, though it has not ruled out any future measures.
“Nobody wants a trade war, and our intention remains to secure a deal,” Reynolds reiterated.
The UK business community expressed disappointment over the tariffs but welcomed the government’s measured response.
Rain Newton-Smith, CEO of the Confederation of British Industry, stated that retaliation could further disrupt the economy. “A cool and calm reaction from the UK government is the right response: UK firms need a measured and proportionate approach which avoids further escalation,” she said.
Meanwhile, Britain’s opposition Conservative Party criticized the Labour government for failing to negotiate an exemption, while the Liberal Democrats accused the U.S. of initiating a “destructive trade war.”
