There is a strong possibility of a new UK-US trade agreement if Donald Trump returns to the White House, according to Senator JD Vance.
Speaking about Trump's relationship with the United Kingdom, Vance highlighted not just business ties but also deep cultural connections. “He’s a businessman and has a number of important business relationships in Britain,” said Vance. “But I think it’s much deeper than that. There’s a real cultural affinity. And of course, fundamentally America is an Anglo country.”
The British government has been pushing hard for a new trade agreement with the United States in hopes of easing some of the tariffs Trump has imposed. These include a 25 percent tariff on metals and cars, as well as a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imported products.
Vance expressed optimism, saying, “I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.” He also pointed out that trade relations between the UK and the US are more balanced compared to some other countries. “With the United Kingdom, we have a much more reciprocal relationship than we have with, say, Germany,” he said. “While we love the Germans, they are heavily dependent on exporting to the United States but are pretty tough on a lot of American businesses that would like to export into Germany.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also signaled that the UK, along with Australia, is being prioritized in current trade discussions. A White House source told Politico that Australia may be easier to negotiate with due to fewer internal political complications.
Bessent, speaking to Bloomberg in Buenos Aires, emphasized that several nations are being considered for trade agreements during the Trump administration’s 90-day pause on some tariffs. He stated that about a dozen countries are involved in the current negotiations and encouraged them to bring their “A-game” to the talks.
As discussions continue, the UK sees a potential deal as vital to improving trade ties and reducing the economic strain of tariffs on key exports.
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