Tony Blair Cautions Starmer Against Retaliation Over Trump Tariffs

[Social Media]

 

Tony Blair Cautions Starmer Against Retaliation Over Trump Tariffs

 

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has advised Labour leader and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to retaliate against newly imposed U.S. tariffs, warning that a tit-for-tat response would not be in Britain’s best interest. Speaking to students at King's College London, Blair commended Starmer for maintaining a calm and measured approach after President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on all British exports to the United States.

 

“I don’t think it is in the U.K.’s best interest to retaliate,” Blair said, as first reported by The Independent. He applauded what he described as Starmer’s “cool heads” strategy, suggesting that avoiding escalation would better serve the long-term health of U.K.-U.S. relations.

 

 

The British government has confirmed it is working to secure an economic agreement with Washington that could lead to the removal of the tariffs. Treasury Minister James Murray acknowledged on Sky News that discussions with businesses were ongoing to identify areas where the tariffs would cause the least damage to British firms.

 

“We want to involve businesses in that decision, and we need to be clear that we keep all options on the table,” Murray said. “We reserve the right to retaliate, but we want a deal, and our full focus is on that.”

 

In remarks made Thursday, President Trump claimed that Starmer had responded positively to the U.K.'s exemption from a harsher 20 percent tariff, which was instead applied to goods from the European Union. “We have a very good dialogue,” Trump said. “I think he was very happy about how we treated them with tariffs.”

 

Blair, who led Britain from 1997 to 2007 and maintained a close relationship with Republican President George W. Bush, also expressed unease over Trump’s apparent wavering support for NATO. Reflecting on the 1990s conflict in Kosovo, Blair recalled the pivotal role of American military power and emphasized the importance of transatlantic cooperation.

 

“It became clear to me that we could never have done it without the Americans,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is crazy — what happens if the Americans decide they don’t want to be part of it?’” According to Blair, efforts to encourage greater European defense contributions were quickly entangled in political debates around Euroskepticism, hindering long-term progress.

 

Blair’s comments appear aimed at preserving the so-called "special relationship" between London and Washington—a diplomatic priority throughout his premiership—and come at a moment of economic tension and political recalibration. As Starmer navigates a delicate balancing act between defending British economic interests and maintaining transatlantic goodwill, Blair’s message is clear: confrontation may feel justified, but diplomacy is likely the wiser path.

 

Based on a report by Politico  2025-04-05

 

 

[quake]

Oh look, it's  ( deleted)  that set the uk on a path of destruction.

Nice job Tony.

I'm very impressed with your legacy.

Oh I forgot,  W.M.D. great job Tony.  

 

[JonnyF]

Blair always sides with US Presidents. 

 

Just as he did with his illegal war that destabilised the middle east based on wmd lies.

 

He's a war criminal. 

[thaibeachlovers]

Given I agree with him that retaliation will only make things worse, perhaps Blair isn't as dumb as I thought he is.

Trump likely wants some grovelling and a deal, and then he'll make the horrid tariffs go away. Starmer should at least try that before going all kindy war on the US.

[thaibeachlovers]

43 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Blair always sides with US Presidents. 

 

Just as he did with his illegal war that destabilised the middle east based on wmd lies.

 

He's a war criminal. 

Yes, but even a war criminal can get it right sometimes.

[JonnyF]

26 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Given I agree with him that retaliation will only make things worse, perhaps Blair isn't as dumb as I thought he is.

 

He's not dumb. He's evil.

 

26 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Trump likely wants some grovelling and a deal, and then he'll make the horrid tariffs go away. Starmer should at least try that before going all kindy war on the US.

 

Starmer is the perfect "man" for a bit of grovelling. It's in his nature. 

[Dogbarker]

If Blairs lips move we know what is coming out ... He still has a lot to answer for IMHO of course 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Yes, but even a war criminal can get it right sometimes.

 

Sometimes evil drug dealers kill evil drug dealers 

 

It's still murder. 

 

Blair shouldn't be anywhere near politics. He oozes evil from every pore. 

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Tony Blair Cautions Starmer Against Retaliation Over Trump Tariffs

 

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has advised Labour leader and current Prime Minister Keir Starmer not to retaliate against newly imposed U.S. tariffs, warning that a tit-for-tat response would not be in Britain’s best interest. Speaking to students at King's College London, Blair commended Starmer for maintaining a calm and measured approach after President Donald Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on all British exports to the United States.

 

“I don’t think it is in the U.K.’s best interest to retaliate,” Blair said, as first reported by The Independent. He applauded what he described as Starmer’s “cool heads” strategy, suggesting that avoiding escalation would better serve the long-term health of U.K.-U.S. relations.

 

 

The British government has confirmed it is working to secure an economic agreement with Washington that could lead to the removal of the tariffs. Treasury Minister James Murray acknowledged on Sky News that discussions with businesses were ongoing to identify areas where the tariffs would cause the least damage to British firms.

 

“We want to involve businesses in that decision, and we need to be clear that we keep all options on the table,” Murray said. “We reserve the right to retaliate, but we want a deal, and our full focus is on that.”

 

In remarks made Thursday, President Trump claimed that Starmer had responded positively to the U.K.'s exemption from a harsher 20 percent tariff, which was instead applied to goods from the European Union. “We have a very good dialogue,” Trump said. “I think he was very happy about how we treated them with tariffs.”

 

Blair, who led Britain from 1997 to 2007 and maintained a close relationship with Republican President George W. Bush, also expressed unease over Trump’s apparent wavering support for NATO. Reflecting on the 1990s conflict in Kosovo, Blair recalled the pivotal role of American military power and emphasized the importance of transatlantic cooperation.

 

“It became clear to me that we could never have done it without the Americans,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is crazy — what happens if the Americans decide they don’t want to be part of it?’” According to Blair, efforts to encourage greater European defense contributions were quickly entangled in political debates around Euroskepticism, hindering long-term progress.

 

Blair’s comments appear aimed at preserving the so-called "special relationship" between London and Washington—a diplomatic priority throughout his premiership—and come at a moment of economic tension and political recalibration. As Starmer navigates a delicate balancing act between defending British economic interests and maintaining transatlantic goodwill, Blair’s message is clear: confrontation may feel justified, but diplomacy is likely the wiser path.

 

Based on a report by Politico  2025-04-05

 

 

I'm not sure if the bootlicker's way is the best to meet Trump.

[tonbridgebrit]

I reckon it's a good idea to not retaliate massively against the Americans.  There's no way Britain will be better off doing a trade war against America. Britain's actually lucky to have just 10% tariffs placed on goods entering America. Harsher tariffs are being put onto other countries.

By the way, look at the attacks from posters against Blair, on the grounds that Blair attacked Iraq. These attackers are usually the people who hate Muslims and Islam the most.  What's your real reason for throwing a stone at Tony Blair ? I think I know. It's because you reckon that it was during Blair's time, that Britain allowed in a load of coloureds and other foreigners into Britain. The truth ? Foreigners were entering into Britain before Blair's time, and they was entering after Blair's time.   🙂

[phetphet]

10 hours ago, quake said:

Oh look, it's  ( deleted)  that set the uk on a path of destruction.

Nice job Tony.

I'm very impressed with your legacy.

Oh I forgot,  W.M.D. great job Tony.  

 

Wasn't it him and his crony Brown that sold off half of the UK's gold reserves at the bottom of the market?

Fool. Look at the gold price now.

[candide]

29 minutes ago, tonbridgebrit said:

I reckon it's a good idea to not retaliate massively against the Americans.  There's no way Britain will be better off doing a trade war against America. Britain's actually lucky to have just 10% tariffs placed on goods entering America. Harsher tariffs are being put onto other countries.

By the way, look at the attacks from posters against Blair, on the grounds that Blair attacked Iraq. These attackers are usually the people who hate Muslims and Islam the most.  What's your real reason for throwing a stone at Tony Blair ? I think I know. It's because you reckon that it was during Blair's time, that Britain allowed in a load of coloureds and other foreigners into Britain. The truth ? Foreigners were entering into Britain before Blair's time, and they was entering after Blair's time.   🙂

You are right about UK's low bargaining power. Then it depends on whether individual countries and economic entities (EU) act collectively or not. If they all decide to retaliate, Trump is toast because it's more than 70% of US exports. If they react individually, it's relatively more easy for Trump. That's why he hates the EU, because he cannot target each country individually.

 

Then about Blair. He knowingly supported the neocon's lies about Irak. UK had probably the best intelligence service in Irak at that time. If the French intelligence service knew that Bush was lying, the UK certainly also knew it.

 

And about immigration, if zi remember well, it was rather European immigration, I.e. the 'Polish plumber'. Actually, European immigrants have been replaced by "coloured" immigrants after Brexit.

[Srikcir]

Canadians give Trump the "elbow." Blair gives Trump the "knees."

Trump demands that every country that trades with the US must have parity in trade value or that the US import value exceeds export value. A balance that is difficult if not impossible to achieve for many nations.

[riclag]

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Sometimes evil drug dealers kill evil drug dealers 

 

It's still murder. 

 

Blair shouldn't be anywhere near politics. He oozes evil from every pore. 

You usually have your fingers on the pulse of UK politics ! I’m sticking with you on this.

 

Blair is just like Obama& Bush.

 

 

https://nymag.com/news/politics/53154/

[candide]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Canadians give Trump the "elbow." Blair gives Trump the "knees."

Trump demands that every country that trades with the US must have parity in trade value or that the US import value exceeds export value. A balance that is difficult if not impossible to achieve for many nations.

Actually, other countries are massively buying American brands, such as Apple, HP, Dell, etc... but they are all produced in China, SE Asia or India. The current trade imbalance is caused by decisions made by American firms.

[Chelseafan]

8 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Given I agree with him that retaliation will only make things worse, perhaps Blair isn't as dumb as I thought he is.

Trump likely wants some grovelling and a deal, and then he'll make the horrid tariffs go away. Starmer should at least try that before going all kindy war on the US.

 

For once I agree with Blair. UK already imposes tariffs on a lot of commodites from the US so this sort of balances it out a little. In 2023, we exported £60.4b and imported £57b so not really much of a deficit. Ironically the UK consumer won't shouldn't see any increases unlike our American cousins.

 

 

[Chelseafan]

9 minutes ago, candide said:

Actually, other countries are massively buying American brands, such as Apple, HP, Dell, etc... but they are all produced in China, SE Asia or India. The current trade imbalance is caused by decisions made by American firms.

 

Sure but on the basis that consumers want cheaper goods. Try building that Apple or Dell product in the US and see what the actual cost go's up by.

 

[DonniePeverley]

The US exports very little to the UK anyways. 10% is nothing, it's within the normal parameters of price changes.

 

Leave well alone. Also just remove ourselves from Europe. And become a sponge for everyone - the USA, EUROPE, ASIA. 

 

The Singapore on the Thames. 

[candide]

57 minutes ago, Chelseafan said:

 

Sure but on the basis that consumers want cheaper goods. Try building that Apple or Dell product in the US and see what the actual cost go's up by.

 

I know. My point that it's not because 'American' products are not attractive, or because of bad will from foreign political leaders.

 

The other point is that it still benefits the U.S. in one way or another.

 

Even if American multinationals implement 'tax optimisation' policies, part of the profit still goes to the US, is partly taxed in the U.S. and also finances R&D and knowledge employment in the U.S. It therefore contributes to the dominance of the U.S. in several strategic technology sectors.

[ukrules]

As much as I don't like Blair - he's right - Trumps new minimum rate is 10% and that's what he's chosen for the UK

The morons in charge should thank him and move on because it could be a lot worse.

 

There is now a massive economic advantage for the UK, for the time being.

I doubt this will last that long and consider the whole thing to be transitory.