UK Politics

A senior Government minister has said that the UK-US trade deal was urgently needed to protect as many as 150,000 livelihoods, and will be “really good for Britain.”The deal removes tariffs on UK steel and aluminium imports to the US, and cuts the levy on cars from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent, offering British luxury carmakers like Jaguar Land Rover a reprieve.Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds indicated on Thursday night that thousands of people were perhaps “days” away from losing their jobs without the deal.Asked by BBC Breakfast on Friday if agreeing the deal was urgent, Treasury minister Mr Jones said: “Yes. Yes, it was.”Pressed if this was because of the threat of job losses, Mr Jones added: “Of course, which is why it was so important that we’ve got the deal over the line.”Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (Aaron Chown/PA) More

Welcome to an exclusive Ask Me Anything session with me, John Rentoul, The Independent’s chief political commentator.Keep scrolling for more. If you want to jump straight to the Q&A, click here.In one of the most dramatic weeks for British trade policy in decades, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has secured not one, but two landmark trade agreements — first with India, and now with the United States.The newly announced US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), unveiled on Thursday, marks a significant step in re-cementing Britain’s trading ties with Washington. Billed as a “first-of-its-kind” agreement, the deal pledges to lower tariffs, ease barriers for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, and deepen collaboration in key sectors from digital trade to pharmaceuticals, steel, and green technology. Crucially, it promises to safeguard UK businesses from the sharpest edges of Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policies, while opening up billions in new commercial opportunities.It’s a striking diplomatic win for Starmer, who just days ago concluded the long-stalled trade deal with India, an achievement that eluded both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak. The two deals, clinched within 48 hours, have reshaped Britain’s post-Brexit trade landscape and breathed new life into Labour’s economic strategy.Yet questions remain: How deep does the US-UK deal really go? What will it mean for British consumers and businesses? Is it enough to offset the frictions of post-Brexit trade with Europe? And how did Starmer navigate the famously unpredictable Donald Trump to secure it?Join me live at 3pm BST on Friday, 9 May, as I answer your questions on all aspects of the new trade deal, Starmer’s diplomacy, and what these agreements mean for Britain’s economic future.Submit your questions in the comments below. If you’re not already a member, click “sign up” in the comments section to participate. For a full guide on how to comment, click here.Don’t worry if you can’t see your question right away – some may be hidden until the Q&A starts. See you at 3pm! More

The London mayor will rip up the rules protecting green belt land in a bid to build almost a million much-needed new homes for Londoners. Sir Sadiq Khan is promising a “radical change of approach” to the green belt, where most forms of development are forbidden, to help tackle the capital’s “pervasive and profound” housing crisis. In a controversial speech, Sir Sadiq will hit out at what he says are myths that the green belt is “all beautiful countryside, green and pleasant land, rich with wildlife”. Sadiq Khan wants to build housing for Londoners on the green belt More

On Wednesday night, the prime minister had been expecting to settle in to watch his beloved Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final of the Champions League. The game would end in defeat for the London side, beaten in the French capital and ending another season trophyless. But at the end of the fixture’s 90 minutes, Sir Keir Starmer had a reason to be happy.Halfway through the game, he received a call from Donald Trump. And his longed-for US-UK trade deal – crucial for mitigating the harm of the swingeing US tariffs announced last month, and perhaps the key to saving his premiership – was on. The PM has had a number of private conversations with Trump on the phone in recent weeks More

Sir Keir Starmer has struck a historic trade agreement with the US that will slash Donald Trump’s tariffs, in what the president hailed as a “great deal for both countries”.The UK became the first country to reach such an agreement since Mr Trump’s swingeing “Liberation Day” tariffs threw the global economy into turmoil last month.The prime minister hailed a “fantastic, historic day” as he said the move would “boost British businesses and save thousands of British jobs” and deliver on his promises to protect carmakers and save the UK’s steel industry. The president extolled how “we got it done” and highlighted how the “special relationship and external bond” will soon be “stronger than ever before”.The deal will see US tariffs on cars immediately slashed from 27.5 to 10 per cent, up to 100,000 vehicles – almost the total number exported last year. Levies on steel and aluminium will be reduced to zero, however, a general 10 per cent tariff for other goods will remain. Starmer says the move will ‘boost British businesses and save thousands of British jobs’ More

Donald Trump has unveiled a “historic agreement” with the UK, the culmination of Sir Keir Starmer’s months-long charm offensive towards the US president. A month after his so-called Liberation Day tariffs began to bite, Britain has now achieved a series of significant carve outs from sweeping tariffs on UK carmakers, steelworks and farmers. The deal is a major boost for the prime minister, coming hot on the heels of a trade agreement between the UK and India this week. Sir Keir Starmer has taken a deferential approach Donald Trump More

After weeks of negotiations, the UK and US have announced a major trade agreement, marking a significant diplomatic and economic achievement for Sir Keir Starmer’s government. The deal follows closely on the heels of a new trade pact with India and comes amid tense economic relations caused by Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on UK exports such as steel, aluminium and cars.Britain has become the first country to reach such an agreement with the States since Mr Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs threw the global economy into crisis last month.Starmer’s supporters argue that this is precisely the kind of pragmatic diplomacy Britain needs post-Brexit – and a vindication of Labour’s competence on the world stage.Reacting to the announcement, The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul said: “He has shown skill and judgement in dealing with Donald Trump, resisting the temptation to denounce the US president for turning on America’s allies, and negotiating patiently to secure a deal that will protect Britain from the worst of Trump’s war on prosperity.”Independent reader Rasputin007 commented: “So within a few days, the UK under Starmer achieved what the Tories couldn’t, two trade deals with the US and India.”And AJames added: “By getting deals done early, Starmer is hoping for a jump start ahead of other nations.”Not everyone is convinced, however. ListenVeryCarefully commented: “The only reason these deals are being rushed through is because Starmer is in deep, deep trouble domestically and desperately needs some ‘good news’ to save his premiership.”With opinions divided, the big question is: Has Starmer handled the US trade deal skilfully, or has he compromised too much for too little?We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comments – we’ll feature the most compelling responses and discuss the results in the coming days.All you have to do is sign up and register your details – then you can take part in the debate. You can also sign up by clicking ‘log in’ on the top right-hand corner of the screen. More

Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak all promised – but failed to deliver – a post-Brexit trade deal with the US. And, less than a year after entering Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer has got the job done. Or has he? The prime minister has secured what Donald Trump is calling a “major trade deal” with the US president saying it would be a “big and exciting day” for the US and UK – which he praised as a “highly respected country”. Donald Trump teased the announcement of a trade deal, believed to be with the UK, on social media overnight More