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Has the UK been Shafted? Trump’s Tariff Tactics Leave Starmer with a Hollow Win
Donald Trump’s first trade deal since his self-declared “liberation day” has been sealed with the United Kingdom — and while the optics were celebratory, the substance is under heavy scrutiny. Sir Keir Starmer and Trump stood shoulder to shoulder, beaming as they announced a rollback of some tariffs, including the removal of a 25 per cent tariff on British steel and the reduction of tariffs on UK-made cars from 25 per cent to 10 per cent. However, critics argue that while the headlines suggest triumph, the reality is more sobering: the UK has been outmanoeuvred. From Labour’s perspective, the timing and symbolism of the deal couldn’t have been better. Amid efforts to rescue the struggling British steel industry and revitalise car manufacturing, Starmer needed a win — or at least the appearance of one. Labour aides were quick to frame the deal as a key success for Starmer’s diplomacy, portraying him as the man who broke through where the Conservatives failed. Being the first country to strike a deal with Trump since his return to office gave Starmer bragging rights, but the details behind the smiles suggest a far more modest achievement. Former trade secretary Kemi Badenoch did not hide her disdain. “Keir Starmer called this ‘historic’. It’s not historic, we’ve just been shafted!” she declared, framing the deal as little more than a repackaged concession. While the agreement does ease some immediate economic pressure, many underlying problems remain unresolved — and in some cases, untouched. Nigel Farage of Reform UK offered a more balanced take, calling the deal “a step in the right direction,” but noted that the baseline 10 per cent tariff will remain on all UK exports, placing Britain on par with countries that have no special relationship with the US. Moreover, the deal sidesteps one of the major obstacles British exporters face: non-tariff barriers. These include regulatory hurdles and bureaucracy, which previously added an estimated 17 per cent to the cost of UK cars sold in the American market. Despite speculation, there has been no commitment to reduce these burdens. In fact, the absence of clarity on red tape and sectors like US beef suggests that the "big, beautiful" deal long hoped for may still be a distant prospect. Nonetheless, Trump used the occasion to amplify his message of renewed American economic strength. He called the UK “truly one of our great allies” and “right at the top,” and predicted that his tax cuts would cause the US economy to rise “like a rocket ship,” enabling more purchases from Britain. Such remarks were warmly received in Downing Street, with Starmer being cast — at least for the day — as Trump’s first preferred partner on the world stage. This strategic alignment may prove politically useful for both leaders, with Starmer facing restive backbenchers after disappointing local election results, and Trump under pressure to demonstrate a tangible global strategy behind his “America First” economic rhetoric. Peter Mandelson, a seasoned political operator, suggested that this agreement is only the start of a broader process, hinting at future negotiations over deeper technological cooperation and market access. That may yet bear fruit, but for now, the deal represents more of a public relations victory than a commercial breakthrough. Ultimately, both sides got what they needed in the short term: Starmer softened the impact of Trump’s earlier tariffs and secured a headline-grabbing diplomatic moment, while Trump showcased his ability to draw in willing partners. Yet as the full terms emerge, Britain may come to see this less as a breakthrough, and more as the price of being first in line — without the leverage to demand more. Related Topic: Trump Hails 'Full and Comprehensive' Trade Deal with UK Amid Modest Economic Expectations Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-05-09 -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 9 May 2025
Teen High on Drugs Attacks Mother with Knife and BB Gun in Pathum Thani Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A dramatic late-night arrest took place in Khlong Luang district after a drug-intoxicated teenager reportedly attacked his mother with a knife and threatened her with a gun. The young man was subdued by police after barricading himself inside the family home. Full story:https://aseannow.com/topic/1360169-teen-high-on-drugs-attacks-mother-with-knife-and-bb-gun-in-pathum-thani/ -
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Crime Teen High on Drugs Attacks Mother with Knife and BB Gun in Pathum Thani
Picture courtesy of Khaosod. A dramatic late-night arrest took place in Khlong Luang district after a drug-intoxicated teenager reportedly attacked his mother with a knife and threatened her with a gun. The young man was subdued by police after barricading himself inside the family home. The incident occurred around 00:30 on 8 May at a residence in Khlong Sam subdistrict. Officers from Khlong Luang Police Station, led by Deputy Inspector Pol Lt Col Kitisak Kraison, joined forces with local officials and foundation rescue workers to respond to an emergency call reporting a violent domestic disturbance. At the scene, police found 45-year-old Ms Malida suffering from a laceration to her right arm. She told officers that her 18-year-old son, identified only as “B”. who has a history of mental illness and drug abuse, had become aggressive after she refused to give him money. According to her statement, the son demanded she buy him a drink, and when she declined, he brandished a gun and slashed at her with a knife as she tried to flee. Ms Malida said she did not know whether the gun was real or a replica but feared for her life. She also revealed that her son had previously attempted to strangle his grandmother with a rope, forcing the elderly woman to move out of the home to live with relatives in Sisaket province. Police surrounded the house and waited until the suspect emerged, at which point officers swiftly moved in and apprehended him. A search revealed a BB gun hidden under a motorcycle seat, along with a machete and a smaller knife believed to have been used in the assault. Inside the suspect’s bedroom, police discovered over half a kilogram of cannabis and various other drugs and paraphernalia. During questioning, the young man admitted to using only cannabis and threatening his mother, though he claimed she sustained the wound accidentally while deflecting the knife. He said he became enraged after she refused to give him money. Police will now conduct a full drug screening to determine whether the suspect had consumed other substances in addition to cannabis. Legal proceedings are underway, and he remains in custody at Khlong Luang Police Station. Pol Col Athimes Chaisaranwich, superintendent of Khlong Luang Police Station, confirmed the suspect had lost control under the influence of drugs. He praised the swift action of the officers, which helped prevent further harm. Charges will be filed following toxicology results and further investigation. Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-09. -
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Tourism Tourism Chiefs Rally for 3.5 Billion Baht Boost to Attract Chinese Visitors
Crass statements. From the Drump USA playbook. -
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Trump’s Threats Push Greenlanders Closer to Denmark
Someone going to tell JAG? I think you meant 57 million baht or HK $. -
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Trump’s Threats Push Greenlanders Closer to Denmark
$1m is about what it took for the British to get Benedict Arnold to become a traitor. Ames took $2.5m to become a traitor. By the sounds of it, most Americans, at least those living in Thailand, would quite happily become a Mao suit wearing, little red booking waving member of the Red Army for price of an apartment in London. They must need the money it seems. How much do they want to perform in a donkey show? $20 should cover it. They won't be the donkey. Greenland since 2009 has Home Rule. They voted to have legislation where they retain full voting rights in the Danish Parliament. For independance, they need to hold a referendum, securing 66% of the vote, AND secure the support of the Danish Parliament. The Referendum will not be a Yes/No question, because the choices are 4-fold; stay with Denmark with voting rights, become an independent state with full voting rights, become a vassal state of the US with no voting rights (aka unincorporated territory) or become a state with full voting rights. Not only that, you have the issue of overcoming the 1917 Treaty between the US and Denmark, where it was agreed to give the United Kingdom the right of first refusal if the question of sovereignty ever came up. So you have to come up with a number for 66% of Greenlanders to go to the grave as traitors. Everyone has a price. For Americans, the price to become a raging member of the Red Hoard is $1m. Plus you have to bribe the Danish Parliamnet. then bribe the UK. Someone in the forum thinks $1000,000x56,000= $56,000,000. Not really. $56 billion not $56 million. And thats not including getting anything out of the ground. And then you find out the consultants bigged up the numbers. The global market for rare earths is about $4 billion. Its going to rise to about $8 billion in 10 years time. This is what Amazon spends on its Cloud computing services. The 2035 Rare Earths market in 10 years time will be worth about the same as the combined angle grinder and door bell market. Rare earth metals are not rare. This illustrates the sheer financial idiocy of those suggesting paying Greenlanders $1million. They are so much smitten with American Lebensraum, they forget America is a capitalist nation with corporations. They forget that Greenland sells mining licences. They forget that its public British and American mining companies who hold these licences. They forget that companies acquire other companies all the time.
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