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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Toby Helm Political editor

Keir Starmer urged to get tough with Trump as US tariff threat looms

British prime minister Keir Starmer has already been warned by the Liberal Democrats against ‘appeasing’  Donald Trump with big tax cuts for US tech companies
British prime minister Keir Starmer has already been warned by the Liberal Democrats against ‘appeasing’ Donald Trump with big tax cuts for US tech companies. Photograph: Oli Scarff/PA

Keir Starmer should fight back strongly against Donald Trump if he imposes punitive tariffs on British exports, senior UK and EU diplomats said on Saturday night, amid heightened fears that the US president could trigger a global trade war with devastating effects on the UK economy.

British government officials in London and Washington are working frantically this weekend to try to persuade Trump not to slap duties on more key UK industries on what he is calling “liberation day” on Wednesday. The US president has already announced plans for 25% levies on imports of cars, steel and aluminium to the US.

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