Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “disappointed” to see Donald Trump impose global tariffs on steel and aluminium.
In his first remarks since the American president imposed the measure, the prime minister said the UK will take a “pragmatic approach” as it seeks an economic trade deal with the US and “all options are on the table”.
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Sir Keir was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who called on the government to be more “robust” with Mr Trump.
“Obviously, like everybody else, I’m disappointed to see global tariffs in relation to steel and aluminium,” the prime minister said.
“But we will take a pragmatic approach. We are, as he knows, negotiating an economic deal which covers and will include tariffs if we succeed. But we will keep all options on the table.”
Mr Trump’s trade war has expanded to cover the world, with 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to the US in effect from today.
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Asked if he will fly out to Canada to stand with it “against Trump’s threats”, Sir Keir said Canada is a “very important ally” but did not commit to a vast.
The tariffs beginning today are designed to protect US manufacturing and bolster jobs by making foreign-made products less attractive.
They threaten to make the cost of things like cars to soft drink cans – and therefore some drinks – more expensive.
Canada is the biggest exporter of both steel and aluminium to America. However, the White House on Tuesday rowed back on a threat to double the country’s tariff to 50%.
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