Trump Hails 'Full and Comprehensive' Trade Deal with UK Amid Modest Economic Expectations

[Social Media]

 

Trump Hails 'Full and Comprehensive' Trade Deal with UK Amid Modest Economic Expectations

 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has described a newly announced trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom as “full and comprehensive,” declaring it a milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.”

 

Trump emphasized the significance of the UK being the first country to formalize a deal under what appears to be a new wave of trade diplomacy. “Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honour to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!”

 

Despite the bold rhetoric, the trade arrangement being revealed today is expected to be relatively limited in scope. Rather than a sweeping free trade agreement—which would require Congressional approval—the deal is set to include targeted tariff reductions and serve as a symbolic diplomatic gesture more than a transformative economic policy.

 

One of the key features of the agreement is a reduction in tariffs that were originally imposed during Trump’s previous administration, particularly in sectors such as automobiles, steel, and aluminium. UK car exports, which are valued at around £9 billion annually and represent the country’s largest export category to the U.S., stand to benefit if Trump’s 25% import tariffs are lowered. The same tariff level currently applies to steel and aluminium, and a reduction there could offer some relief to UK manufacturers.

 

Yet the economic impact is likely to be modest. Many analysts suggest that the deal is aimed more at mending past trade tensions rather than establishing a new era of significant transatlantic commerce. The potential for broader cooperation with the European Union—still the UK’s largest trading partner—is widely considered more economically crucial.

 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves underscored this point in a recent interview, noting that while the deal with the United States garners considerable attention, it is the UK’s proximity to and integration with Europe that holds more weight in practical terms. “I understand why there's so much focus on our trading relationship with the US but actually our trading relationship with Europe is arguably even more important, because they're our nearest neighbours and trading partners,” she said.

 

While key components such as pharmaceuticals remain uncertain, with no current trade restrictions but potential future vulnerability to global tariffs, the deal may offer some mutual concessions. One possible compromise could involve the UK lowering its 2% digital services tax on American tech companies in exchange for reduced tariffs on car and pharmaceutical exports.

 

However, some red lines remain firm. Food standards, a politically sensitive issue in the UK, are not expected to be part of the agreement. Despite speculation about easing tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, Reeves has made clear that controversial items such as chlorinated chicken will not be permitted under this deal due to domestic opposition.

 

While today’s announcement offers diplomatic reassurance and a partial rollback of past trade barriers, it falls short of a full-scale free trade agreement. The coming months will reveal whether Trump’s promise of “many other deals” materializes and how they compare in substance and scale.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-05-08

 

 

[nauseus]

Looks like there will be quite a lot not part of this agreement.

 

Maybe later. Long way to go for anything close to free trade.

[SunnyinBangrak]

So, the narrative that "no good can come from Trumps tariffs which are a total disaster for Americans" was complete BS? Quelle surprise🤣 Im sure apologies from fake news consumers for pushing disinformation will be shortly pouring in.

[ThreeCardMonte]

16 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

So, the narrative that "no good can come from Trumps tariffs which are a total disaster for Americans" was complete BS? Quelle surprise🤣 Im sure apologies from fake news consumers for pushing disinformation will be shortly pouring in.

Stand by for the Trump Haters!

 

They'll be arriving soon.

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

41 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Despite the bold rhetoric, the trade arrangement being revealed today is expected to be relatively limited in scope. Rather than a sweeping free trade agreement—which would require Congressional approval—the deal is set to include targeted tariff reductions and serve as a symbolic diplomatic gesture more than a transformative economic policy.

 

So basically just a PR exercise in order to claim a "win."

Tell me again why Trump imposed tariffs on UK imports?

 

U.S. total goods trade with the United Kingdom were an estimated $148.0 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to the United Kingdom in 2024 were $79.9 billion, up 7.6 percent ($5.6 billion) from 2023. U.S. goods imports from the United Kingdom totaled $68.1 billion in 2024, up 6.0 percent ($3.9 billion) from 2023. The U.S. goods trade surplus with the United Kingdom was $11.9 billion in 2024, a 17.4 percent increase ($1.8 billion) over 2023.

 

https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/europe-middle-east/europe/united-kingdom

 

The US trade SURPLUS with UK increased 17% under Biden in '24, which in most realities, would be called..........."winning."

With tariffs and a fake "deal" unlikely to continue thus.

[CallumWK]

18 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Tell me again why Trump imposed tariffs on UK imports?

 

The deal most likely is that Starmer pointed out to Trump that there was no trade deficit, and that if he didn't remove the tariffs, there would be a huge one in the near future.

[Chomper Higgot]

55 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

So, the narrative that "no good can come from Trumps tariffs which are a total disaster for Americans" was complete BS? Quelle surprise🤣 Im sure apologies from fake news consumers for pushing disinformation will be shortly pouring in.

It’s a PR Trade Deal, the very fact that it’s so limited in scope is an indication of how weak Trump’s position is.

 

He needs this very limited deal in order to claim some victory.

 

All that damage for immeasurably above zero gain.

 

[frank83628]

45 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Stand by for the Trump Haters!

 

They'll be arriving soon.

 

 

I came here to see the hysterical headless chicken commends too

[frank83628]

So, getting a deal sorted, as with many other  countries... as some of us knew already...... 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

So, getting a deal sorted, as with many other  countries... as some of us knew already...... 

can you name some of these other countries with which deals have been ‘sorted’?

[ThreeCardMonte]

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a PR Trade Deal, the very fact that it’s so limited in scope is an indication of how weak Trump’s position is.

 

He needs this very limited deal in order to claim some victory.

 

All that damage for immeasurably above zero gain.

 

Keep believing that.

[DonniePeverley]

Fantastic work from Starmer to get these deals over the line.

[NoDisplayName]

2 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Fantastic work from Starmer to get these deals over the line.

 

What deals eggzackly?

 

We got the tweet teasing the bigly huge trade deal of the century, but nothing of substance.

 

Is this just another kracken?

[billd766]

1 hour ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Stand by for the Trump Haters!

 

They'll be arriving soon.

 

 

The Trump grovelers are already out in force.

[frank83628]

28 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

can you name some of these other countries with which deals have been ‘sorted’?

'getting'

[SunnyinBangrak]

1 hour ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Stand by for the Trump Haters!

 

They'll be arriving soon.

 

 

Such a terrible day for the egg on face haters. Tariffs yielding incredible results they told us was impossible. The Houtis folding like a cheap suit, great result for shipping and lowering freight costs. Stock markets & BTC pumping like vicars in an orphanage. What a time to be alive. #winning

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

While today’s announcement offers diplomatic reassurance and a partial rollback of past trade barriers, it falls short of a full-scale free trade agreement.

Typical negative spin by the BBC. Trump's tariffs have nothing to do with FTAs. 

[spidermike007]

We are going to tax your pants off. OK, I over stepped and will not tax you as much. Wow, we just concluded a major trade deal. See how amazing I am. I am probably the smartest man in the world. 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a PR Trade Deal, the very fact that it’s so limited in scope is an indication of how weak Trump’s position is.

 

He needs this very limited deal in order to claim some victory.

 

All that damage for immeasurably above zero gain.

 

It's only the first steps into the deal. No PR about it. You simply have to go anti-Trump with every breath. Cutting tariffs on UK steel and aluminium from 25% to 10% and cars from 27% to 10% for the 1st 100,000 imports and 0% tariffs on RR engines for jets isn't a PR stunt.

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

We are going to tax your pants off. OK, I over stepped and will not tax you as much. Wow, we just concluded a major trade deal. See how amazing I am. I am probably the smartest man in the world. 

You sound like a petulant little child.

[NoDisplayName]

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

We are going to tax your pants off. OK, I over stepped and will not tax you as much. Wow, we just concluded a major trade deal. See how amazing I am. I am probably the smartest man in the world. 

 

Correction:  We are going to tax the pants off American consumers. OK, I over stepped and will not tax Americans as much.

[Patong2021]

2 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

So, the narrative that "no good can come from Trumps tariffs which are a total disaster for Americans" was complete BS? Quelle surprise🤣 Im sure apologies from fake news consumers for pushing disinformation will be shortly pouring in.

 

What deal? The only disinformation is your attempt to present this as something new, when it is not. Did you forget that the UK and USA were in discussions and negotiating since Brexit? Much of the agreement goes back to the initial proposals for which neither Starmer, nor Trump can claim credit for.

 

This "deal" is still not finalized and multiple key items are  not yet agreed to. What we have here is smoke and mirrors. Both Trump and Starmer desperately need to show that they have an agreement. This is political theater.

 

[dinsdale]

 

[Magictoad]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Trump Hails 'Full and Comprehensive' Trade Deal with UK Amid Modest Economic Expectations

 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has described a newly announced trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom as “full and comprehensive,” declaring it a milestone in strengthening bilateral ties. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.”

 

Trump emphasized the significance of the UK being the first country to formalize a deal under what appears to be a new wave of trade diplomacy. “Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honour to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!”

 

Despite the bold rhetoric, the trade arrangement being revealed today is expected to be relatively limited in scope. Rather than a sweeping free trade agreement—which would require Congressional approval—the deal is set to include targeted tariff reductions and serve as a symbolic diplomatic gesture more than a transformative economic policy.

 

One of the key features of the agreement is a reduction in tariffs that were originally imposed during Trump’s previous administration, particularly in sectors such as automobiles, steel, and aluminium. UK car exports, which are valued at around £9 billion annually and represent the country’s largest export category to the U.S., stand to benefit if Trump’s 25% import tariffs are lowered. The same tariff level currently applies to steel and aluminium, and a reduction there could offer some relief to UK manufacturers.

 

Yet the economic impact is likely to be modest. Many analysts suggest that the deal is aimed more at mending past trade tensions rather than establishing a new era of significant transatlantic commerce. The potential for broader cooperation with the European Union—still the UK’s largest trading partner—is widely considered more economically crucial.

 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves underscored this point in a recent interview, noting that while the deal with the United States garners considerable attention, it is the UK’s proximity to and integration with Europe that holds more weight in practical terms. “I understand why there's so much focus on our trading relationship with the US but actually our trading relationship with Europe is arguably even more important, because they're our nearest neighbours and trading partners,” she said.

 

While key components such as pharmaceuticals remain uncertain, with no current trade restrictions but potential future vulnerability to global tariffs, the deal may offer some mutual concessions. One possible compromise could involve the UK lowering its 2% digital services tax on American tech companies in exchange for reduced tariffs on car and pharmaceutical exports.

 

However, some red lines remain firm. Food standards, a politically sensitive issue in the UK, are not expected to be part of the agreement. Despite speculation about easing tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, Reeves has made clear that controversial items such as chlorinated chicken will not be permitted under this deal due to domestic opposition.

 

While today’s announcement offers diplomatic reassurance and a partial rollback of past trade barriers, it falls short of a full-scale free trade agreement. The coming months will reveal whether Trump’s promise of “many other deals” materializes and how they compare in substance and scale.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-05-08

 

 

The first paragraph?

" Former" U.S. President Donald Trump

Surely that can't be true!

[Patong2021]

27 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

It's only the first steps into the deal. No PR about it. You simply have to go anti-Trump with every breath. Cutting tariffs on UK steel and aluminium from 25% to 10% and cars from 27% to 10% for the 1st 100,000 imports and 0% tariffs on RR engines for jets isn't a PR stunt.

 

Have you looked at the  data? The UK imports more steel products  from the USA than it exports. The UK  exports of  aluminum are insignificant and  what is exported to the USA is typically a specialized or critical component that the USA needs. The RR engines are critical to heavy industry and for aircraft manufacturing. Boeing will take the engines and put them on aircraft being constructed for foreign buyers. The B777 and 787 use these engines. All of the US  airlines would have  suffered significant financial harm and US consumers would have paid for it with increased airfares.

[phetphet]

If Starmer shafts the British people, which I suspect he will do,  by letting in US Chlorinated Chicken, hormone laced beef and GM plant foods, I hope the people do a Canadian style boycott and refuse to buy or eat it. Let US farmers improve their standards if they want to sell to other countries.

[NoDisplayName]

18 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

The first paragraph?

" Former" U.S. President Donald Trump

Surely that can't be true!

 

More bloviating from Trump, so perhaps the newswriters reused text from last time?

 

Trump: UK-US trade deal could be 'big and exciting'

Donald Trump has said he is working on a "major trade deal" with the UK.

The US President tweeted that a bilateral trade agreement with the UK after it leaves the EU in 2019 could be "very big and exciting" for jobs.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-40716317

25 July 2017

[dinsdale]

8 minutes ago, phetphet said:

If Starmer shafts the British people, which I suspect he will do,  by letting in US Chlorinated Chicken

 

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

chlorinated chicken will not be permitted under this deal due to domestic opposition

Try reading to the end of the article.

[Social Media]

Updated Topic:

 

Has the UK been Shafted? Trump’s Tariff Tactics Leave Starmer with a Hollow Win

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

10 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

Fantastic work from Starmer to get these deals over the line.

 It’s fantastic work by Starmer to salvage some positive gains from Trump’s attack on the UK economy without selling out UK farming and the NHS.

 

Giving the man-child a few crumbs to offer his supporters, both foreign and domestic, while de-escalating Trump’s aggression against the UK economy.

 

So yes, good work by Starmer, his pragmatism is exactly the right approach.