The UK-US trade deal: what was agreed?
Keir Starmer's calm handling of Donald Trump paid off, but deal remains more of a 'damage limitation exercise' than 'an unbridled triumph'

Washington and London hailed a "historic" agreement last week after the UK became the first country to seal a deal with President Trump since he launched his global trade war.
The deal cut US tariffs on British car exports from 27.5% to 10%, and removed all levies on British steel, aluminium and Rolls-Royce engines. In exchange, the UK offered greater market access to US agricultural exports, including beef and corn ethanol, although it retained its ban on chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef.
Trump announced the deal in a televised event in the Oval Office, flanked by Britain's US ambassador, Peter Mandelson; Keir Starmer joined by speakerphone. No. 10 later described it as a "win for both nations" and promised to build on it. Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said Britain had been "shafted", noting that the deal provides less-favourable trading terms than we had before Trump's "liberation day".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Starmer should be congratulated for this deal, which has saved thousands of British jobs, said The Independent. His calm, non-confrontational approach to Trump has paid off. The PM did well to get the UK to the front of the queue, agreed The Times. The fact remains, though, that this is more of a "damage limitation exercise" than "an unbridled triumph". Most UK goods still face a blanket 10% tariff. And the lower levy on British cars only applies to a quota of 100,000, which matches our current level of exports to the US, effectively placing "a ceiling on future sales".
Much remains to be hammered out, said the Daily Mail. There's still no clarity over pharmaceuticals, for instance, or Trump's threatened film tariffs. The worry is that Starmer will scupper further progress in his "desperation to reset relations with the EU", whose leaders he is meeting next week. Reducing friction with the EU, our largest trading partner, is the key to boosting our economic growth, said the FT. Compared with this, the deal with the US, like the earlier one with India, is "little more than a sideshow".
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is Trump's tariffs plan working?
Today's Big Question Trump has touted 'victories', but inflation is the 'elephant in the room'
-
Trump's threats to fire Jerome Powell are unsettling the markets
Talking Points Expect a 'period of volatility' if he follows through
-
Can the US economy survive Trump's copper tariffs?
Today's Big Question The price hike 'could upend' the costs of cars, houses and appliances
-
Pros and cons of a wealth tax
Pros and Cons Raising revenue and tackling inequality vs. the risk of capital flight and reduced competitiveness
-
Why the world's busiest shipping routes are under threat
The Explainer Political tensions, mega ships and global warming offer new challenges – and opportunities
-
Will Europe pivot to Asia on trade?
Today's Big Question It could be an attempt to sidestep the impact of Trump's tariffs
-
Jared and Ivanka's Albanian island
Under The Radar The deal to develop Sazan has been met with widespread opposition
-
Higher toy prices from Trump's tariffs have arrived
In the Spotlight Three out of four toy products in the US come from China