Topics: Donald Trump, US News, UK News, World News, News, Politics
Sir Keir Starmer has responded to a severe set of tariffs that US leader Donald Trump controversially placed upon steel and aluminium imports earlier this week.
Speaking to press, the Prime Minister has since insisted that 'all options' would be kept 'on the table' for the UK.
As per PA, Starmer also declared that the UK would be open to possible retaliatory measures, in response to 25 per cent tariffs Trump declared yesterday (11 Mar).
It is understood that jobs in the beleaguered British steel industry could now be at risk, being that the UK failed to secure an exemption to the Republican's global tariffs - which have also sparked mass backlash in other countries.
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Trump's administration last week hit goods from Canada with a brutal new 25 percent tariff - a move later accused by some of triggering a global trade war, after Canada retaliated by adding its own 25 percent tariffs onto $155b in US goods.
And just yesterday, the Republican leader told press he'll be increasing tariffs on goods from Canada from 25 to 30 percent following Canada's retaliation.
It is understood that such drastic tariffs will also severely affect the Chinese economy.
As part of Starmer's latest update, the European Union also responded to Trump's declaration by announcing trade counter-measures.
Like Canada, it has since hit American goods with retaliatory tariffs.
The UK leader emphasised, however, that he'll be resisting calls for the UK to hit back for the time being.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, the 62-year-old admitted: "I’m disappointed to see global tariffs in relation to steel and aluminium."
He added of the UK, 'We will take a pragmatic approach', explaining that he is in the midst of 'negotiating an economic deal which covers and will include tariffs if we succeed'.
As mentioned, Starmer told MPs: "But we will keep all options on the table."
