British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to ensure that any new trade agreement with the United States serves the best interests of the United Kingdom.
The assurance follows President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a raft of reciprocal tariffs imposed on numerous countries. The United Kingdom now faces a 10 per cent import duty and a 25 per cent tariff specifically targeting British-manufactured vehicles.
In response, Prime Minister Starmer reaffirmed that the “national interest” would remain paramount in any negotiations. Speaking on Monday during a visit to the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Solihull, he emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting British manufacturers through the developing trade landscape.
“I will only strike a deal if it is in the national interest,” he declared. “That is my priority—strength abroad, security and renewal at home.”
Starmer described the visit as a “statement of intent”, adding, “We have chosen to come here because we are going to back you to the hilt.”
The Prime Minister further asserted that his government would stand by the car manufacturing sector amid what he termed a “rising tide of insecurity”, pledging to deploy industrial policy as a means of shielding British businesses from the impact of external economic shocks.
