TURNBERRY, Scotland — U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s “going to have a look at” a blanket 10 p.c tariff on most U.Okay. items, elevating hopes of a breakthrough in commerce negotiations between the 2 international locations.
Trump made the feedback to reporters from his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland on Monday, forward of wide-ranging talks with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Pressed on whether or not he would contemplate any discount to the ten p.c reciprocal tariff charge on the U.Okay. — the bottom of any U.S. buying and selling companion to this point — the president appeared buoyant.
“We’re going to try it,” he replied, including, “we wish to make the prime minister blissful.”
His remark comes regardless of nervousness throughout the U.Okay. authorities concerning the implementation of some components of the U.Okay.-U.S. Financial Prosperity Deal signed greater than two months in the past.
Along with a discount to the ten p.c reciprocal tariff charge, the U.Okay. is pushing for the U.S. to implement its dedication to chop tariffs on metal and aluminum from 25 p.c to zero. Progress has been stymied by U.S. “soften and pour guidelines” that require metal imported to the U.S. to be melted and poured within the U.Okay. to qualify for tariff reduction.
Requested about the opportunity of tariff reductions on metal and aluminum, the president didn’t remark straight.
“We’re in nice form, an awesome deal was made with the UK prime minister — they did an awesome job,” he stated. “, they’ve been making an attempt to make that deal for 12 years, and he bought it performed, so everyone respects him … it’s going to be a number of jobs for right here, and nice for America, and when it comes to the connection … our relationship is unparalleled, but it surely retains it even nearer when you have got commerce deal.”
The president was additionally requested about the opportunity of reducing tariffs on Scotch whisky, a significant U.Okay. export.
“Properly we’ll discuss that,” the teetotal president responded. “I didn’t know whisky was an issue. I’m not an enormous whisky drinker. However perhaps I needs to be one.”
The president didn’t touch upon tariffs on pharmaceutical merchandise — which he has threatened to announce as quickly as the beginning of August.
U.Okay. pharmaceutical corporations — together with GSK and AstraZeneca — promote an enormous proportion of their medication to the U.S. market, with British pharmaceutical exports to America price £6.6 billion in 2024.
A U.Okay. authorities determine — granted anonymity to talk freely — advised POLITICO final week {that a} deal on prescribed drugs was “more likely” than speedy progress on metal or the blanket 10 p.c reciprocal tariffs.
Martin Alfonsin Larsen contributed to this report.