London: The British government has decided not to immediately pursue retaliatory actions against the United States following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 15 percent tariff. This decision was confirmed by a source from 10 Downing Street.
According to Kuwait News Agency, a spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office indicated that both UK and US officials are engaged in discussions regarding the potential consequences of Trump’s tariff decision. While the full impact remains uncertain, the spokesman acknowledged that it will inevitably affect bilateral relations between the two nations.
When questioned about the UK’s response to the US tariffs, the spokesman emphasized the pragmatic nature of the government’s approach toward the US. “We continue to have productive conversations with them, and those discussions are happening at all levels, but nothing is off the table at this stage,” the spokesman stated.
Furthermore, the spokesman highlighted the concerns of the industry, which is wary of a potential trade war. “Industry doesn’t want to see a trade war where both sides keep escalating the situation, and that’s why our focus is on constructive engagement with our US counterparts to retain the UK’s competitive advantage,” he added. This situation follows a recent US Supreme Court ruling deeming the previous 10 percent tariffs unlawful, prompting Trump to impose a global tariff of 15 percent under different legislation.