Donald Trump unveiled a historic trade deal with the UK that will slash tariffs on British goods, including steel and cars, in what he hailed as an “exciting” day for the special relationship.
Britain became the first country to reach such an agreement with the US since the president’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs threw the global economy into crisis last month.
The move will help protect UK industries from the extra taxes slapped on them when they enter the US, which would be passed on to American consumers.
It will be seen as a coup for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose diplomatic approach has succeeded where previous prime ministers, including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Rishi Sunak, failed.
Sir Keir said, “This is a really fantastic, historic day” as he spoke to President Trump about the deal in a phone call on speaker to the Oval Office.
Earlier, the president hailed the deal as a “full and comprehensive” agreement, saying it was a “great honour to have the United Kingdom as our first announcement”.
Key points
- Key details of US-UK deal unveiled
- Trump makes announcement from the Oval Office
- Starmer says deal hugely important for cars and steel
- Britain will 'take what beef and chicken they want', Trump says
- London's FTSE 100 wavers but Wall Street stocks surge after UK-US trade deal
Our live coverage has ended. Here's a full breakdown:
Inside the historic US-UK trade deal and how the breakthrough was finally struck
Donald Trump speaking from the Oval Office
15:55 , Jane DaltonThe US president said in his announcement: "I want to thank prime minister Starmer and his team for their outstanding work and partnership. The agreement is the first in a series of agreements on trade that the US administration will be signing."
He called it a "historic agreement" with "one of our closest and most cherished allies".
UK PM hails 'fantastic, historic' day
15:59 , Jane DaltonUK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said “this is a really fantastic, historic day” as he spoke to US President Donald Trump about a trade deal over a video call to the Oval Office.
Repeatedly calling Mr Trump “Donald”, Sir Keir said: “There are no two countries that are closer than our two countries”.
The relationship was built on notions of fairness and reciprocal arrangements, he said.
US-UK bond will be stronger than ever, says Trump
16:03 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump said the bond between the US and UK will be “stronger than ever before”.
“I want to thank Prime Minister Starmer,” he said. “He’s been terrific for his partnership in this matter.
“It’s really an external and an internal bond between our two countries. It will soon be stronger than ever before. We have a great relationship.
“I want to just say that the representatives of UK have been so professional, and it’s been an honour doing business with all of them, and in particular the Prime Minister.”
We succeeded where others failed, says Trump
16:07 , Jane DaltonPresident Trump said the US and UK had been working on a deal for years but had "never quite got there".
"For so many years everybody talked and talked about a deal... it was not done but now it was done with us," he said.
Boost for Starmer as Trump credits him with securing historic deal – after previous PMs failed
16:11 , Jane DaltonKate Devlin, Whitehall Editor for The Independent, writes:
The sound was terrible, with the prime minister calling in from a car manufacturer in the Midlands.
And the tech set up did little to dispel the notion that the UK side has been caught on the hop with the speed of this announcement.
But in the end, the message was clear. Keir Starmer’s diplomatic approach has worked (at least for now), Donald Trump seemed keen to insist.
He said the UK and the US have been working for years on a trade deal and “it never quite got there – it did with this prime minster”.
Sat alongside the British ambassador to the US, Lord Peter Mandelson, the US president also said the bond between the two countries “will soon be stronger than ever before” in the wake of this new agreement.
While the devil will still be in the detail, the Labour leader’s hopes that this deal will be seen as a coup seem to have been vindicated.
Analysis: A major win for Starmer so far – but the real scrutiny is yet to come
16:12 , Jane DaltonOur political correspondent Millie Cooke writes:
Sir Keir Starmer has been handed a massive win by the Trump administration, who hailed his “outstanding work and partnership” and went to great lengths to emphasise that no other administration was able to get such a deal over the line.
Domestically, that will serve as a major vote of confidence in the prime minister’s shaky leadership, after the party took a drubbing at the local elections last week.
However, so far all we’ve seen is warm words and positive gestures – no real detail has been announced. It is only then that the real scrutiny of the deal will begin and questions will start to be asked about what exactly the UK has given away to achieve such a “historic” agreement.
We can do tech deal, says UK ambassador to US
16:12 , Jane DaltonBritain’s US ambassador Peter Mandelson has told Donald Trump there is scope for the UK and US to do another deal, on science and technology.
He said: “There is yet more we can do in reducing tariffs and trade barriers so as to open up our markets to recover even more than we are agreeing to do today.
“But it also provides us with the platform the springboard to do what I think will be even more valuable for both our countries in the future, and that's creating a technology partnership between the United States and United Kingdom so that we can harness science and technology in order to create future industries and future jobs, and to do that together in the way we work closely already in the national security and defence area.
“We can just take that to yet further areas of science... we're looking forward to doing that in the coming months.”
Is this a diplomatic win for Starmer? Have your say
16:14 , Jane DaltonThe UK and US have sealed a major trade agreement, a breakthrough hailed as a key victory for Sir Keir Starmer’s government. Coming hot on the heels of a new pact with India, the deal positions Britain as the first nation to secure terms with Washington since Trump’s disruptive ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs last month.
Supporters say the agreement showcases Starmer’s pragmatic post-Brexit diplomacy and Labour’s competence on the world stage. The Independent’s John Rentoul praised Starmer’s “skill and judgement” in navigating tough negotiations without alienating the US.
As one reader put it: “Within days, Starmer achieved what the Tories couldn’t — two trade deals with the US and India.”
Now we want your view. Share your thoughts here — we’ll feature the best responses.
Trump hails UK as oldest US ally
16:15 , Jane DaltonMr Trump hailed the UK has America’s oldest ally “just about”.
“I think it's going to be something very special for UK and special for the United States,” he said, adding that other countries including China also wanted to make deals.
Sir Keir Starmer's post on X about the deal
16:16 , Jane DaltonToday I've secured a deal with the US that boosts British businesses and saves thousands of British jobs.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 8, 2025
I promised to protect British car makers and save our steel. This deal delivers on that promise.
And British workers, families, and firms will feel the benefit. pic.twitter.com/FT79klCMdi
Trump hails ‘historic’ trade deal with UK on Truth Social
16:18 , Jane DaltonAs the Oval Office US-UK trade deal announcement was underway, a post on President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account marked the occasion, celebrating $6 billion in tariffs on imports from the UK and $5 billion in new export opportunities for US companies and agricultural products.
The president also hailed the creation of an “Aluminum and Steel Trading Zone” and a “secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain” that he says will enhance the national security of both countries.
He concluded by saying, “If you respect America, and bring serious proposals to the table, America is OPEN FOR BUSINESS.”
Here’s the post in full:
Today is an incredible day for America as we deliver our first Fair, Open, and Reciprocal Trade Deal — Something our past Presidents never cared about. Together with our strong Ally, the United Kingdom, we have reached the first, historic Trade Deal since Liberation Day. As part of this Deal, America will raise $6 BILLION DOLLARS in External Revenue from 10% Tariffs, $5 BILLION DOLLARS in new Export Opportunities for our Great Ranchers, Farmers, and Producers, and enhance the National Security of both the U.S. and the UK through the creation of an Aluminum and Steel Trading Zone, and a secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. This Deal shows that if you respect America, and bring serious proposals to the table, America is OPEN FOR BUSINESS. Many more to come — STAY TUNED!
Deal will boost US beef exports 'exponentially'
16:19 , Jane DaltonThe deal would exponentially increase American exports of beef, one of Donald Trump’s officials has claimed.
UK governments have repeatedly promised not to increase imports of US meat, which is produced to lower welfare standards than in the UK, and the decision is bound to ignite claims of undercutting British farmers and compromising animal-welfare standards.
No tariffs on Rolls-Royce engines
16:20 , Jane DaltonBritish-made Rolls-Royce engines would be excluded from tariffs, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said.
“We’ve agreed to let Rolls-Royce engines and those kind of plane parts come over tariff-free,” he said.
“What you’re going to hear today is there’s going to be an announcement that the UK they are buying ten billion worth of Boeing planes later today.
“But I’m going to let the airline announce this, because that’s theirs to do it.”
Jaguar Land Rover chief ‘warmly welcomes’ UK-US deal
16:21 , Jane DaltonJaguar Land Rover (JLR) has warmly welcomed the trade deal between Britain and the US, praising both sides for concluding it “at pace”.
The agreement slashed the levy on British cars sold in the US from 27.5 per cent under Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs to 10 per cent.
It comes a month after JLR suspended shipments to the US over the chaos of the tariffs.
And JLR chief executive Adrian Mardell said: “The car industry is vital to the UK’s economic prosperity, sustaining 250,000 jobs. We warmly welcome this deal which secures greater certainty for our sector and the communities it supports. We would like to thank the UK and US governments for agreeing this deal at pace and look forward to continued engagement over the coming months.”
Deal hugely important for cars and steel, says Starmer
16:24 , Jane DaltonPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the agreement with the US was “hugely important” for certain sectors.
Speaking to Donald Trump over the phone, he aid: “We’ve always had a fair and balanced arrangement between our countries - this builds on that.
“Hugely important for sectors like car manufacturing, and for steel and aluminium and so many others.
“Yes, we can finish ironing out some of the details but there’s a fantastic platform here.”
The devil will be in the detail - which is still to come
16:25 , Jane DaltonPresident Trump said the "final details" of the agreement were still being "written up", adding: "The actual deal is a very conclusive one we think, just about everything has been approved."
The government has been pursuing a deal with the US to reduce the impact of tariffs imposed by Mr Trump on his so-called 'Liberation Day' last month. That placed a 10% levy on all UK exports and a 25% charge on steel, aluminium and cars.
The UK is said to be looking to reduce some tariffs on American products, as well as changing the digital services tax that currently affects US tech companies.
But the Government has said that lowering food standards to allow hormone-injected beef and chlorinated chicken from the US into the country, or watering down the Online Safety Act, which vice president JD Vance regards as an attack on freedom of speech, are red lines they are not willing to wave.
UK business secretary: ‘Calm and proactive engagement’ has won Britain deal
16:26 , Jane DaltonAfter Donald Trump praised Britain’s negotiators for helping agree the trade deal “very smoothly and very quickly”, UK business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said “calm and proactive engagement” had worked.
Announcing the deal, Mr Reynolds said: “I am delighted our calm approach and proactive engagement with the US has resulted in this deal which cuts tariffs for UK industry and cuts costs for businesses.
“Businesses across the country will be glad to see our approach working, but this is only the beginning. We look forward to strengthening our trading relationship with the US through a wider economic deal, which will help us to deliver on our Plan for Change to provide economic stability and make this country fit for the future.”
UK first nation in 'economic security alignment' with US, says Trump
16:27 , Jane DaltonThe UK will be brought into “economic security alignment” with the US as a result of the trade deal, Donald Trump said.
Speaking from the Oval Office, the US president said: “Furthermore, in a historic step, the deal includes plans that will bring the United Kingdom into the economic security alignment with the United States. That’s the first of its kind.”
He described the UK as “truly one of our great allies”.
Mr Trump was flanked by US vice-president JD Vance, and the UK’s ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson.
Key details of US-UK deal unveiled
16:28 , Jane DaltonDowning Street has unveiled key details in the UK’s “historic” agreement with the US, which the government said would save “thousands of jobs”.
Key elements of the deal that have been unveiled so far include:
- Car export tariffs will be slashed from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent, to a quota of 100,000 UK cars, almost the total the UK exported last year
- 25 per cent steel tariffs will be axed entirely
- New reciprocal market access on beef has been negotiated, giving UK farmers a tariff free quota of 13,000 metric tonnes. However, the UK government insisted that there will be “no weakening of UK food standards on imports”, amid concerns a deal could pave the way for the import of hormone treated beef
- The tariff on ethanol coming into the UK from the US – which is used to produce beer – has been axed to zero
Trump and Starmer agree historic deal – full report
16:28 , Jane Dalton
Trump and Starmer agree historic UK-US trade deal with tariffs slashed for Britain
Watch: Trump ally laughs as Starmer celebrates deal coinciding with VE Day
16:29 , Jane DaltonUK fires the starting gun as other countries race to slash their Trump tariffs
16:30 , Jane DaltonKeir Starmer has told a press conference that it is “so important” that the UK was the first in the queue to agree a deal that will see its Trump tariffs slashed.
The move would send a message to the world “that the UK is open for business” he said.
Under the agreement car tariffs will be slashed from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent, up to a total of 100,000 UK vehicles, almost the total the UK exported last year.
The 25 per cent steel tariff will also be axed entirely. Sir Keir also said the tariff cuts will come in “as soon as possible” – in what could fire the starting gun on other countries' bids not to be left behind.
Trump love-in with Lord Mandelson as he praises ‘beautiful accent’
16:31 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump has praised Peter Mandelson’s “beautiful accent” amid a love-in between the two in the Oval Office.
The US president was flattering about Lord Mandelson, Britain’s ambassador in Washington, DC, at one point holding his hand.
Lord Mandelson said: “My mother would be proud.” He praised Mr Trump for “doing what you said you would do” and “being true to your word” over the deal.
Apt that deal signed on VE Day anniversary, says Starmer
16:33 , Jane DaltonThe US-UK trade deal is a “fantastic, historic day” for the two countries, Sir Keir Starmer said, adding it was “apt” it was signed on the anniversary of VE Day.
The Prime Minister told the US president: “This is a really fantastic historic day in which we can announce this deal between our two great countries, and I think it’s a real tribute to the history that we have of working so closely together.”
Sir Keir added: “This is going to boost trade between and across our countries. It’s going to not only protect jobs, but create jobs, opening market access, and as you say, Donald, the timing couldn’t be more apt, because not only was it 80 years ago today that victory came for Europe after and at the end of the Second World War, but of course on that the UK and the US stood together as the closest of allies.”
UK ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson joined laughter at the remark.
UK opens market for US beef, US minister claims
16:36 , Jane DaltonThe US has opened up new market access to agricultural products including ethanol, beef and machinery, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick claimed.
He added: “They’ve agreed to open their markets, and that will add five billion US dollars of opportunity to American exporters.
“So the question is, why would they do that now, because they’ve never done it before? And we still have a 10% tariff on which will produce six billion US dollars of revenue for the United States.
“So the idea was, how did they keep their jobs, protect their economy and do the best for their people, while opening the market for us?”
The UK has “found the ways to do that so that we have new access, but the UK workers are protected, and that was the balance”, Mr Lutnick said in answer to his own question.
Earlier, Downing Street insisted that lowering food standards remained a “red line” for any US trade deal.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We are not going to lower British food standards. That’s something set out in the manifesto.”
Britain will 'take what beef and chicken they want', Trump says
16:41 , Jane DaltonThe UK will “take what they want” when it comes to US beef and chicken imports, Donald Trump suggested, rather than being forced to accept chlorinated chicken.
Asked if he was calling on the UK to accept all American beef and chicken imports, the US president said: “Well, I think they’ll take what they want. We have plenty of it. We have every type. We have every classification you can have.
“As you know, Bobby Kennedy (US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr) is doing a tremendous job, and he’s, I think, probably heading toward your system with no chemical, no this, no that. I think we’re heading that way.”
He added: “We’re very big country. We have a lot of beef. We’re a very big country, so it’ll be great.”
US agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins added: “Specific to the beef, this is going to exponentially increase our beef exports. And to be very clear, American beef is the safest, the best quality, and the crown jewel of American agriculture for the world.”
Starmer promises UK farmers access to US markets
16:43 , Jane DaltonThe deal will give “unprecedented market access for British farmers” to the US “without compromising our high standards”, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said.
Brexit made deal possible, says Trump
16:45 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump said the European Union treated the US “extremely unfairly”, and claimed the trade deal between the US and UK was possible “because of Brexit”.
“The European Union treated us extremely unfairly… and hurt themselves in doing so.
“They very much want to make a deal. We’ll be dealing with them. We are dealing with them currently.
“This was separate because of Brexit in particular,” he said of the deal.
“It always seemed so natural,” he added.
“This deal just fell into place. The Prime Minister did a fantastic job.
“His representatives are total professionals, and they got along well, and it just seemed to work.”
Keir Starmer says Trump called him about deal 'halfway through Arsenal game'
16:47 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer has revealed Donald Trump phoned him about the trade deal halfway through watching his beloved Arsenal Football Club crash out of Europe.
The prime minister is a devout fan of the North London football club.He said the most important part of governing is “who you have in your mind's eye” when you are running the country. He said that applies whether you are in talks with the US over trade in meetings, “or halfway through the Arsenal game last night”.
Arsenal lost the game 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain, meaning they crashed out of the Champion’s League 3-1 on aggregate over the two legs, on what will have been a devastating night for the prime minister.
UK share losses ease slightly
16:48 , Jane DaltonLosses on the UK's FTSE-100 index have eased slightly after the Prime Minister and US President hailed their new trade agreement.
The stock market index was down by about 0.25% late afternoon on Thursday, having fallen by about 0.45% shortly after the announcement.
Traders were largely unfazed by the announcement due to the new agreement being expected throughout the day.
The pound was strengthening, meanwhile, rising about 0.1% against the US dollar, at 1.33, and 0.3% against the euro, at 1.18.
FTSE latest
16:48 , Jane DaltonThe UK's FTSE 100 index has seen losses ease back slightly after the prime minister and US President hailed a new trade agreement between the two countries.
The stock market index was down by about 0.25% late afternoon on Thursday, having been falling by about 0.45% shortly after the announcement again.
Traders were largely unfazed by the announcement due to the new agreement being expected throughout the day.
The pound was strengthening, meanwhile, rising about 0.1% against the US dollar, at 1.33, and 0.3% against the euro, at 1.18.
Wall Street reacts favourably to UK-US trade deal announcement
16:49 , Jane DaltonAfter a tumultuous few weeks since President Donald Trump announced his tariffs on America’s trading partners, Wall Street is reacting favourably to news of the UK-US trade deal.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped more than 400 points (1%) in mid-morning trading, while the S&P 500 rose 50 points (1%), and the tech-heavy Nasdaq was up almost 220 points (1.22%).
The deal with the UK is being touted as the first of many to come, with traders keen to know the fine print beyond the agreement’s headlines announced in the Oval Office this morning.
“The (proposed) trade deal with the UK is the first announced framework of a deal... after we get some of the details, we'll have a template for what other trade deals may look like,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B Riley Wealth.
Tariffs will be cut soon, Starmer pledges
16:50 , Jane DaltonPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that “tariff cuts will come into place as soon as possible”.
The announcement was “just the start” and the countries were “hammering out” further details with the US, he said.
“I also want to be clear, this is just the start with the deal we’ve done today.
“We can say jobs saved, jobs won, not job done, because we’re more ambitious for what the UK and the US can do together,” he said.
“So we’re hammering out further details to reduce barriers to trade with the United States, across the board.”
UK shafted, Tory leader claims
16:52 , Jane DaltonOpposition leader Kemi Badenoch claimed that the UK had been “shafted” by the government’s deal with the US.
Conservative leaader Mrs Badenoch said: “When Labour negotiates, Britain loses.
“We cut our tariffs — America tripled theirs.
“Keir Starmer called this ‘historic.’ It’s not historic, we’ve just been shafted!”
Deal saves and protects thousands of UK jobs, Starmer says
16:57 , Jane DaltonThe deal with the US puts the UK in a better position that it was in yesterday, the Prime Minister claimed, and many thousands of jobs will now be protected, saved and enhanced.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “What this does is to reduce to zero the tariffs on steel and aluminium. Look how important that is. Reduces massively from 27.5% to 10% the tariffs on the cars that we export, so important to JLR (Jaguar Land Rover), actually to the sector generally, but JLR in particular, who sell so many cars into the American market, proudly do that.
“Of course, it also includes pharmaceuticals, some really important measures. Obviously, we don’t have tariffs yet, but we’ve got within the deal significantly preferential treatment whatever happens in the future. So this is hugely important for our pharmaceutical sector as well.
“In addition to that, we said we had red lines on standards, particularly in agriculture. We’ve kept to those standards. The SPS (santitary and phytosanitary) red line is a red line that is written into the agreement.”
Analysis: Just the beginning
17:07 , Jane DaltonUS president Donald Trump announced his new trade with the United Kingdom with huge fanfare, writes Eric Garcia, Washington bureau chief.
But it's important to remember what it's not: It's not a major trade agreement with someone whom Trump has claimed has been "ripping off" the United States like China, South Korea or Japan.
The deal is also with a country that had virtually no trade deficit with the United States.
It also is not even a full reprieve for the British. As Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, the 10 per cent tariffs will remain in place for the United Kingdom.
As UK ambassador to the United Kingdom Peter Mandelson said, "For us it's not the end, it's just the end of the beginning."
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has upped the charm offensive with Trump. But it's far from what is needed.
Trump and I trust each other, says Starmer
17:11 , Jane DaltonPrime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had discussions last night with Donald Trump about the trade deal, and he and the president respect and trust each other.
Asked about any assurances he could give to businesses that the deal would not be ripped up by the US, Sir Keir said: “We’ve been negotiating this text for a long time. I had discussions with Donald Trump along the way, including discussions last night. We’re clearly in agreement.”
He said there was a written text that would be available and the agreement was absolutely clear.
Sir Keir added: “We’ve worked well together, we respect each other, the President and I, and we trust each other, and have trusted each other through this process.”
Beer industry pours cold water on government claim ethanol is 'used to produce beer'
17:24 , Millie CookeThe UK beer industry has poured cold water on the government's claim that ethanol — which has seen its tariffs slashed — is “used to produce beer.”
Ethanol is a by-product of the beer-making process and is only an ingredient for spirits, despite the government's press release outlining the details of the deal saying otherwise.
A spokesperson for the British Beer and Pub Association said they "cannot see how [the deal] is a win for brewers or pubs".
They said: "We are urgently seeking clarity about the details of the deal as, given ethanol is not used to make beer, we cannot see how this is a win for brewers or pubs.
"We continue to urge Government to focus on securing a trade deal that boosts the sector and doesn’t penalise British beer, which brings so much to our economy and job market."
RECAP: Trump unveils first deal since launching trade war with multi-billion dollar UK agreement
17:40 , Oliver O'ConnellThe United States and the United Kingdom have agreed to increase market access for American exports while easing some tariffs for Britons, President Donald Trump announced Thursday in the first official trade agreement since imposing global tariffs.
Ariana Baio in New York and Eric Garcia in Washington, D.C. report on this morning’s announcement.
Trump reveals ‘comprehensive’ trade deal with UK after launching global trade war
US-UK trade deal called 'chaotic and lacking in detail'
17:45 , Archie MitchellResponding to confirmation that the UK government has agreed a deal on tariffs with the US, Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, which campaigns for closer EU-UK ties, said:
“Chaotic and lacking detail, today’s announcement neatly demonstrates why trade with Trump’s erratic and unpredictable administration should be treated with extreme caution.
“Independent economic analysis shows that a common sense deal with our closest market can drive real growth rather than just limiting damage and our polling shows voters in every constituency in Britain, from Clacton to Newport, want the government to prioritise trade with our more reliable partners in Europe over Trump’s USA.”
Trump does Sean Connery impression while discussing future of James Bond
Lutnick hails 'historic day' and 'much more to come'
18:00 , Oliver O'ConnellUS Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who lavished praise on President Donald Trump during the Oval Office announcement of the trade deal with the UK, adds to that by saying the president “promised to restore fair and balance in trade and we are delivering.”
He promises “much more to come.”
What a historic day. President Trump promised to restore fair and balance in trade and we are delivering. Now, the sixth largest economy in the world is open for business to our producers. There’s so much more to come. pic.twitter.com/1Sm2maO5ZT
— Howard Lutnick (@howardlutnick) May 8, 2025
What will Britain get and are there any trade-offs with Trump?
18:10 , Oliver O'ConnellDonald 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.
President Trump said the agreement with the UK is a “great deal for both countries”, while Sir Keir said “this is a really fantastic, historic day” as he spoke to Trump about the deal on the phone.
Here, Archie Mitchell and Millie Cooke of The Independent look at what exactly has been announced.
UK-US trade deal: What will Britain get and are there any trade-offs with Trump?
Steve Rattner, former Obama adviser and Morning Joe economic analyst, says that while any trade deal is a good thing, he would like to see the Trump administration focus on the European Union, Mexico, Canada, and China, which together constitute 58 percent of US trade.
Any sort of trade deal is a good thing in this environment, but I’d love to see Trump chip away at the EU, Mexico, Canada, and China, which together account for 58% of US trade. pic.twitter.com/T9kMHw4efA
— Steven Rattner (@SteveRattner) May 8, 2025
He adds that if trade deficits are a “national emergency” as the administration has framed them, then why not focus on making deals with countries with whom the US actually has a trade deficit...
If trade deficits were a national emergency, you’d think Trump would focus on making deals with countries with whom we actually have a trade deficit. pic.twitter.com/tkqBfksLrT
— Steven Rattner (@SteveRattner) May 8, 2025
UK PM says food standards not lowered for trade deal
18:25 , Oliver O'ConnellUK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says that food standards were not lowered to secure a trade deal with the US.
The deal includes increased access for U.S. beef, ethanol and other agricultural products to the British market.
There is strong public opposition in Britain to allowing in chlorine-rinsed American chicken or hormone-treated beef.
Starmer said, “We said we had red lines on standards, particularly in agriculture. We’ve kept to those standards. The SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) red line is a red line that is written into the agreement.”
'I think the American people are going to like the taste of UK beef'
18:35 , Kate DevlinMo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said: “I think the American people are going to like the taste of UK beef.
“As always, the devil really is going to be in the detail. It’s clear that for this deal to work in the UK interest, we need the government to pursue pro-farming policies domestically. The family farm tax remains a huge barrier to a long-term, buoyant network of domestic farms.
“I don’t believe there’s much appetite for US beef here, but it reinforces the importance of clear country of origin labelling. People need to know what they’re eating. British beef is sustainable, delicious and reared to the highest animal welfare standards.”
Aluminium firms would be 'naive' not to prepare for future shocks, supplier says
18:40 , Millie CookeWhile today's deal is welcome, companies would be naive not to prepare for future shocks, a British-based aluminium company has warned.
Ross Murdoch, head of sustainability at aluminium packaging company Meadow, said: “Anything that promotes cooperation between nations and provides an amount of stability to global trade is a positive.”
But, describing Trump's tariffs as a “watershed moment for global trade,” Murdoch urged companies and governments to “look to the long term and prepare for future shocks.”
“Like other companies that rely heavily on aluminium, we are looking for ways to cushion ourselves from similar shocks in the future. One way to do that is to move supply chains closer to home so as to become less reliant on strategically compromised countries for supply,” he said.
UK parliament unlikely to get vote on today's deal
18:44 , Oliver O'ConnellThe UK Parliament will scrutinise today's agreement but is unlikely to get a vote on the body of the deal, Jonathan Reynolds said.
However, the business secretary reiterated that the government is “not proposing any changes to how the UK ratifies any treaty, including trade agreements.”
“The process is that parliament gets to scrutinise the agreement, but there is no vote on the actual agreement. But any measures we have to take that require parliamentary activity to do so, will be done in the usual way,” he told reporters on Thursday.
Mr Reynolds also outlined the terms of the “economic security alignment” between the UK and the US, which Donald Trump referenced in his statement earlier today. He said the two nations have committed to “cooperation and coordination on nonmarket practices from third countries, and to cooperation and coordination on export controls and investment security.”
Non-market practices are government policies and actions that distort or interfere with the free operation of a market economy.
London's FTSE 100 wavers but Wall Street stocks surge after UK-US trade deal
18:52 , Oliver O'ConnellLondon's FTSE 100 dipped slightly following the Bank of England's interest rate cut, while US markets surged on news of a UK-US trade deal. Trade policy dominated market attention on both sides of the Atlantic.
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FTSE 100 wavers but Wall Street stocks surge after UK-US trade deal
Trump tariffs: US recession chances ‘highest they’ve been in years’
19:09 , Oliver O'ConnellPresident Donald Trump’s trade war could lead the country into recession, the chief investment officer of one of the biggest asset management firms has warned. The officer called the probabilities “the highest they’ve been in a few years.”
Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, Pimco executive Dan Ivascyn also told The Financial Times he felt investors were underestimating Trump’s resolve about bringing back his April 2 “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariff program.
A week later, the president paused the tariffs for most countries for 90 days after they rocked the world’s stock markets and sparked days of alarm worldwide.
“Believe Trump. He believes in tariffs,” Ivascyn said.
Joe Sommerlad reports.
Bond giant says Trump tariffs mean recession chances ‘highest they’ve been in years’
UK business secretary denies US deal timed ahead of EU reset meeting
19:23 , Oliver O'ConnellBritain’s business secretary has denied that the UK-US deal was timed to come ahead of a major EU-UK summit, taking place on May 19, saying the talks were not “timed in a specific way.”
“All of our concurrent trade negotiations are done in a way to make sure they are consistent with each other,” Jonathan Reynolds said, adding that “the time scale on any negotiation is not something that is entirely within your gift.”
“We’ve been doing all of this work at the same time,” he continued.
Watch: UK ambassador asks Trump if he wants a Rolls Royce
19:36 , Oliver O'ConnellDemocrat rep says majority of GOP lawmakers think Trump’s tariffs are ‘crazy’
19:52 , Oliver O'ConnellRep. Jasmine Crockett says that behind closed doors, many Republicans are questioning the decisions of the Trump administration and openly saying how “things are crazy.”
The Texas Democrat said that members of the GOP would publicly do “whatever [Trump] wants them to do at all times,” but that many saw the ongoing chaos caused by the president’s tariffs as “a problem.”
Crockett made the remarks during an interview with CNN on Friday night, saying that the massive cuts in the president’s recent budget proposal were “absolutely insane.”
Mike Bedigan reports.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett says most of GOP lawmakers think Trump’s tariffs are ‘crazy’
US Treasury launching fast-track process for investing in America
20:31 , APThe US Treasury Department is launching a fast-track process for investing in America.
The agency says it will launch a “Known Investor” portal as a pilot program under which a committee chaired by the Treasury can collect information from foreign investors.
The US “benefits from the strong and stable investments of our allies and partners,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
“Treasury is committed to maintaining and enhancing the open investment environment that benefits our economy, while making sure that process efficiencies do not diminish our ability to identify and address national security risks that can accompany foreign investment.”
Inside the historic US-UK trade deal and how Starmer finally struck breakthrough with Trump
20:45 , Gustaf KilanderOn 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.
Millie Cooke and Kate Devlin report:
Inside the historic US-UK trade deal and how the breakthrough was finally struck
‘We can’t let it go down the drain like Detroit’: Jon Voight is Trump’s Hollywood ally looking to save US production
21:00 , Gustaf KilanderActor Jon Voight, one of Trump’s three “special ambassadors” to Hollywood, says the president’s recently announced threat to place 100 percent tariffs on foreign-made films was greeted with enthusiasm by the industry, despite numerous press accounts from insiders that the plan could cripple film production.
“We’ve gotten a lot of good response from people,” Voight told Variety on Wednesday. “We’re really rolling up our sleeves and working. I think we have a good plan, and we’re just beginning. This little team of mine has worked very hard to try to figure out things. The union people and producers give their expertise and understanding to this problem, and we’re working together. A lot of people had a lot of input and we’re listening to everybody.”
Josh Marcus reports:
Jon Voight says Trump movie tariffs could stop Hollywood from becoming ‘like Detroit’
