Afternoon summary
The government has chosen to avoid adopting a confrontational approach towards the Trump administration over the prospect of the UK being hit by 25% tariffs on its steel and alumunium exports. Downing Street said that it would take a “considered approach”, implying that this dispute was not out of the ordinary (see 12.43pm), while the trade minister, Douglas Alexander, told MPs that the government would eschew “knee-jerk” reactions and instead “work with President Trump to find solutions that work for both the United Kingdom and the United States” (see 1.24pm). In Europe, and around the world, many other countries have been more aggressive, threatening retalitatory action.
British ministers have hinted that, even if the US tariffs are imposed, they will not respond with sanctions of its own. Jeremy Hunt, the former Tory chancellor, told the Guardian last week that retaliatory sanctions would be pointless because they would not have enough impact on the US.
The Metropolitan police have been left in a “hopeless position” after losing a high court case over whether they can oust officers and staff deemed unsuitable through enhanced vetting procedures, Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said. In response, the Home Office said it was “acting rapidly” to introduce new rules to help forces sack officers who could not hold vetting.
Updated
Britons have become more sceptical about trans rights over past two years, poll suggests
Britons have become noticeably less likely to support transgender rights over the past two years, according to polling from YouGov.
🧵/ Where does the British public stand on transgender rights in 2024/5?
— YouGov (@YouGov) February 11, 2025
The 4th study in our series shows that scepticism has grown across the board over the last two years, including among groups typically more sympathetic to trans people pic.twitter.com/GPwjU9Kjjh
