Rachel Reeves to hold UK-US trade war crunch talks in White House BUT Donald Trump in 'no rush' to make deal
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will hold talks with the White House next week as part of ongoing efforts to secure a UK-US trade deal and avoid further tariffs.The discussions come despite US President Donald Trump downplaying the likelihood of any imminent agreements. Britain is seeking to mitigate the impact of Trump's sweeping 10 per cent tariffs on all goods imported to America.It is understood that officials in Washington believe an agreement could be just weeks away. Reeves confirmed that "active negotiations" with American counterparts are continuing.The Chancellor will be in Washington for the International Monetary Fund's spring meetings, where she will engage with the US administration."I will be having conversations with the US administration whilst I'm there," Reeves told broadcasters on Thursday. She emphasised that "the key thing for the British Government is always acting in the UK's national interest".Any deal secured would "always have front-and-centre British national interest," the Chancellor added. However, President Trump struck a different tone on Thursday, saying he was in "no rush" to reach any deals.He claimed many countries wanted agreements "frankly more than I do" because of the revenues his new tariffs are generating.Trump suggested deals would come "at a certain point" while indicating an agreement with the European Union would be straightforward.Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk."We are in active negotiations at the moment with our US counterparts on a whole range of issues," Reeves said from Scunthorpe.These include discussions on "the tariffs for steel and aluminium, and the cars, which of course are at 25 per cent, as well as the headline tariff rate of 10 per cent.The Chancellor stressed that "getting a deal across a whole range of areas" is "very important for British industry and British jobs". She added that this remains her focus as Chancellor.Meanwhile, Trump has suggested a date in September is being set for him to visit King Charles in Britain. The US President received a personal invitation from the King for an "unprecedented" second state visit, delivered by Sir Keir Starmer during the Prime Minister's Washington trip. According to The Telegraph, the meeting will take place at Windsor Castle rather than Balmoral or Dumfries House as previously speculated. Trump is known to be an admirer of the Royal Family.This royal engagement comes amid the complex trade negotiations between the two nations. Former spy chief Nigel Inkster has warned that the UK "would be in trouble" if it agreed a trade deal with the US at China's expense.LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Baby boomers told to get back to work amid calls to raise pension age rise: '70 is new 50!'Gold price surge sees abandoned Welsh mine revived amidst Donald Trump's tariff trade warB&M announces plan to open 45 new stores - list of locations hereThe former deputy head of MI6 told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that any US-UK deal would likely "come with strings". One expectation would be "that the UK would get with the programme when it came to China".He cited the Huawei 5G saga as a precedent, where "the Americans said, you cannot use a Chinese company to build the 5G." Inkster expressed particular concern about the pharmaceutical sector, noting China is "a critical supplier of many pharmaceutical products.""Without them, we would be in trouble," he warned. Pharmaceuticals are reportedly a contentious aspect of the UK-US negotiations, as Trump plans to begin imposing tariffs on medicines.When asked if China could potentially cut off vital pharmaceutical supplies during a future dispute, Inkster responded: "It would be an incredibly powerful lever."
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves will hold talks with the White House next week as part of ongoing efforts to secure a UK-US trade deal and avoid further tariffs.
The discussions come despite US President Donald Trump downplaying the likelihood of any imminent agreements. Britain is seeking to mitigate the impact of Trump's sweeping 10 per cent tariffs on all goods imported to America.
It is understood that officials in Washington believe an agreement could be just weeks away. Reeves confirmed that "active negotiations" with American counterparts are continuing.
The Chancellor will be in Washington for the International Monetary Fund's spring meetings, where she will engage with the US administration.
"I will be having conversations with the US administration whilst I'm there," Reeves told broadcasters on Thursday. She emphasised that "the key thing for the British Government is always acting in the UK's national interest".
Any deal secured would "always have front-and-centre British national interest," the Chancellor added. However, President Trump struck a different tone on Thursday, saying he was in "no rush" to reach any deals.
He claimed many countries wanted agreements "frankly more than I do" because of the revenues his new tariffs are generating.
Trump suggested deals would come "at a certain point" while indicating an agreement with the European Union would be straightforward.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.
"We are in active negotiations at the moment with our US counterparts on a whole range of issues," Reeves said from Scunthorpe.
These include discussions on "the tariffs for steel and aluminium, and the cars, which of course are at 25 per cent, as well as the headline tariff rate of 10 per cent.
The Chancellor stressed that "getting a deal across a whole range of areas" is "very important for British industry and British jobs". She added that this remains her focus as Chancellor.
Meanwhile, Trump has suggested a date in September is being set for him to visit King Charles in Britain. The US President received a personal invitation from the King for an "unprecedented" second state visit, delivered by Sir Keir Starmer during the Prime Minister's Washington trip.
According to The Telegraph, the meeting will take place at Windsor Castle rather than Balmoral or Dumfries House as previously speculated. Trump is known to be an admirer of the Royal Family.
This royal engagement comes amid the complex trade negotiations between the two nations. Former spy chief Nigel Inkster has warned that the UK "would be in trouble" if it agreed a trade deal with the US at China's expense.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Baby boomers told to get back to work amid calls to raise pension age rise: '70 is new 50!'
- Gold price surge sees abandoned Welsh mine revived amidst Donald Trump's tariff trade war
- B&M announces plan to open 45 new stores - list of locations here
The former deputy head of MI6 told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that any US-UK deal would likely "come with strings". One expectation would be "that the UK would get with the programme when it came to China".
He cited the Huawei 5G saga as a precedent, where "the Americans said, you cannot use a Chinese company to build the 5G." Inkster expressed particular concern about the pharmaceutical sector, noting China is "a critical supplier of many pharmaceutical products."
"Without them, we would be in trouble," he warned. Pharmaceuticals are reportedly a contentious aspect of the UK-US negotiations, as Trump plans to begin imposing tariffs on medicines.
When asked if China could potentially cut off vital pharmaceutical supplies during a future dispute, Inkster responded: "It would be an incredibly powerful lever."
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