2 h. ago Flattery gets Starmer somewhere as The Donald stays awake to toot tariff deal | John Crace

Sycophancy stops Trump from dozing off as PM and co hail victory – or at least getting what they could getThree days ago, Donald Trump promised an announcement that would be very possibly the greatest announcement in the whole history of announcements. Come Thursday morning, he said the US and the UK had reached a full and comprehensive trade deal.I guess a lot depends on what you mean by the words “greatest announcement” and “full and comprehensive”. As details of the deal began to emerge, it rather looked as if the UK had managed to negotiate a worse deal with the US than we had even two months ago. One that was hardly transformative. Just reversing some of the damage that had been done to the UK by the US starting a global trade war. Tariffs as a protection racket. Continue reading...

Economics

3 h. ago KEIR STARMER: I made workers a promise and our US trade deal delivers on it

Writing for The Mirror, Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that the new trade deal reached with Donald Trump will save thousands of jobs in the UK's car industry

Economics

4 h. ago UK politics: Tariffs cut on UK cars, steel and aluminium in US trade deal, says Starmer – as it happened

Car exports will face 10% tariffs while levies on steel and aluminium are cut to zeroTrump and Starmer confirm ‘breakthrough’ UK-US trade dealThe Liberal Democrats treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper has reiterated the party’s position that any trade deal with the US should be put to parliament for approval before being ratified, saying Labour “should not be afraid” of a vote if they are confident a deal is in the country’s best interests.Cooper, the MP for St Albans, said in a statement:Parliament must be given a vote on this US trade deal so it can be properly scrutinised.A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.If it’s correct, and you know, whilst we haven’t been named publicly, it does sound like something’s happening, nevertheless, it would be wholly speculative [to comment].As you appreciate and know full ...

Economics

5 h. ago Tariffs cut on UK cars, steel and aluminium in US trade deal, says Starmer – UK politics live

Car exports will face 10% tariffs while levies on steel and aluminium are cut to zeroTrump and Starmer confirm ‘breakthrough’ UK-US trade dealThe Liberal Democrats treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper has reiterated the party’s position that any trade deal with the US should be put to parliament for approval before being ratified, saying Labour “should not be afraid” of a vote if they are confident a deal is in the country’s best interests.Cooper, the MP for St Albans, said in a statement:Parliament must be given a vote on this US trade deal so it can be properly scrutinised.A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.If it’s correct, and you know, whilst we haven’t been named publicly, it does sound like something’s happening, nevertheless, it would be wholly speculative [to comment].As you appreciate and know full ...

Economics

6 h. ago Car tariffs cut to 10% on US exports says Starmer, after signing Trump trade deal – UK politics live

PM says deal will ‘save thousands of jobs in Britain’ and tariffs on steel and aluminium have been cut to zeroStarmer and Trump to announce UK-US trade dealThe Liberal Democrats treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper has reiterated the party’s position that any trade deal with the US should be put to parliament for approval before being ratified, saying Labour “should not be afraid” of a vote if they are confident a deal is in the country’s best interests.Cooper, the MP for St Albans, said in a statement:Parliament must be given a vote on this US trade deal so it can be properly scrutinised.A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.If it’s correct, and you know, whilst we haven’t been named publicly, it does sound like something’s happening, nevertheless, it would be wholly speculative [to comment].As you appreciate ...

Politics

11 h. ago Trump confirms ‘full and comprehensive’ trade deal with UK – US politics live

US president hails ‘first announcement’ of trade agreement and says ‘many other deals to follow’Downing Street said the British prime minister Keir Starmer would make a statement on trade talks with the US on Thursday.The agreement is likely to focus on lowering US tariffs on specific products, such as British steel, aluminium and cars.The prime minister will always act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business, for families.The United States is an indispensable ally for both our economic and national security.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.Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago US and UK set to announce trade deal today – UK politics live

US president set to announce ‘full and comprehensive’ trade deal between UK and US with Starmer due to make statementThe Liberal Democrats treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper has reiterated the party’s position that any trade deal with the US should be put to parliament for approval before being ratified, saying Labour “should not be afraid” of a vote if they are confident a deal is in the country’s best interests.Cooper, the MP for St Albans, said in a statement:Parliament must be given a vote on this US trade deal so it can be properly scrutinised.A good trade deal with the US could bring huge benefits, but Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned that it may include measures that threaten our NHS, undermine our farmers or give tax cuts to US tech billionaires.If it’s correct, and you know, whilst we haven’t been named publicly, it does sound like something’s happening, nevertheless, it would be wholly speculative [to comment].As you appreciate and know full well, with any deal like ...

Politics

11 h. ago Sir Keir Starmer to make statement on US trade deal 'after agreement reached'

Donald Trump posted he would make a 'major trade announcement' today with a 'big, highly respected country'

Economics

15 h. ago PM to make statement on US trade talks amid reports deal has been reached

The Government has been pursuing a deal with the US to reduce the impact of sweeping tariffs imposed by Donald Trump last month.

Economics

17 h. ago Trump expected to announce framework of UK trade agreement, sources say

President teases deal ‘with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country’ but specifics remain unclear Donald Trump is expected to announce the framework of a trade agreement with the UK, according to two people familiar with the matter, after teasing a major announcement with a “big and highly respected, country.”The specifics of any agreement were not immediately clear and there was no comment from the White House or the British embassy in Washington on whether an actual deal had been reached or if the framework would need further negotiation. Any agreement would mark the first such deal for the administration since it imposed sweeping tariffs against trade partners last month. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago Holly Willoughby's future with ITV 'revealed' after Dancing On Ice axe amid fears for her Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt

Holly Willoughby is reportedly in talks with ITV bosses about her future with the channel.

Culture

6 d. ago Submarine designers in Connecticut say they'll strike on May 18 if contract deal isn't reached

About 2,500 workers at submarine builder Electric Boat shipyard in Connecticut plan to strike on May 18 if a tentative contract agreement is not reached with the submarine builder

Economics

7 d. ago Trump tariffs cause fastest slump in British factory export orders in five years – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as UK manufacturers report falling export orders and China signals openness to US trade talks Fhaheen Khan, senior economist at Make UK, a lobby group for British manufacturing, said:UK manufacturers are caught in the eye of a perfect storm, with rising costs and international trade uncertainty undermining growth prospects. While actual changes in trade have been limited, the unpredictability, particularly around US tariff policy, is doing significant damage and paralysing decision makers. Many firms are delaying major investment decisions until greater clarity emerges, while being forced in the meantime to cut costs through redundancies while pushing through price increases.This has left manufacturing experiencing its most severe slowdown in years, with the UK at a competitive disadvantage compared to our European peers who are weathering current challenges relatively better. As a result, it is now vital that gover...

Politics

7 d. ago China hints at openness to trade talks with US; Tesla denies board search for Musk successor – business live

Live, rolling coverage of business, economics and financial markets as Chinese state-controlled social media says US has approached China for trade talksLloyds Banking Group has reported a 7% drop in pre-tax profit to £1.5bn in its first quarter, and is bracing for the ripple effect from Trump’s tariffs on its balance sheet.The high street bank said that it has set aside £309m to account for possible bad debts, compared with previous guidance of £274m, as it added a £35m net charge to prepare for the possible impact on the economic outlook from President Trump’s tariffs.The US has proactively reached out to China through multiple channels, hoping to hold discussions on the tariff issue.Yuyuan Tantian is not among China’s most authoritative state media outlets. The Global Times, which is owned by the newspaper of the governing Communist Party, People’s Daily, has often been first to report China’s next steps in trade disagreements over the past few years.Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson fo...

Politics

8 d. ago Nigel Farage dismantled for 'recruiting Liz Truss' in brutal PMQs swipe by Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer delivered a brutal swipe at Nigel Farage during PMQs over reports that Reform UK had been in talks with Liz Truss in recent weeks

Politics

9 d. ago Spice Girls 'reunite' for world tour 24 years on but one star 'will be missing'

Four members of iconic girl group Spice Girls are reportedly in talks to reunite and are said to be considering a world tour next year to mark 30 years since their first album

Events

9 d. ago Oleksandr Usyk crashes Frank Warren interview as chaotic build to Daniel Dubois rematch begins

Interview: Warren talks to reporters about this summer’s rematch between Dubois and Usyk, who has some questions of his own for the promoter

Events

1 week ago US trade deal isn't certain to happen, Labour frontbencher warns after crunch talks

Pat McFadden said he was 'hopeful' that a trade deal could be reached with Donald Trump's White House, but said it was not certain after crunch talks in Washington DC

Events

1 week ago Angela Rayner 'repeatedly threatened to resign from the Cabinet over the 'impossible' target of building 1.5 million homes in the next five years'

Lord Ashcroft writes in Red Flag it was only a call from Tony Blair that prevented the Deputy Prime Minister from quitting.

Events

1 week ago Trump envoy meets Putin hours after Moscow killing of Russian general

Russian official calls talks with Steve Witkoff ‘quite useful’ as investigation launched into suspected Ukrainian bombingDonald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff has met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin for high-stakes peace talks, hours after a senior Russian military official was killed in a car explosion near Moscow.Trump has played up Witkoff’s visit – his fourth to Russia in recent months – claiming a deal on ending the war in Ukraine was within reach. “The next few days are going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,” Trump told reporters on Thursday. “I think we’re going to make a deal I think we’re getting very close.” Continue reading...

Politics