Sir Keir Starmer’s attempts to strike a free trade deal with the US are at risk over a free speech row, reports have suggested.
Starmer and Trump agree tariff negotiations will continue
Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes of agreeing a free trade deal with the US could be at risk over a free speech row. The US state department issued a statement on Sunday saying it was “concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom” in relation to the case of an anti-abortion campaigner.
It said it was “monitoring” the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, who was prosecuted for holding a sign near a Bournemouth abortion clinic reading: “Here to talk if you want.” A verdict in the case is due on Friday.
The woman who is being prosecuted for the alleged breach of a “buffer zone” outside a Bournemouth abortion clinic has said she is “grateful” after the US State Department expressed concern over the case.
Keir Starmer and Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
Asked about the comments, a source familiar with trade negotiations told The Telegraph there should be “no free trade without free speech”.
Vice President JD Vance has previously raised concerns about free speech in the UK.
But the UK’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted free speech has not been part of tariff negotiations with the US.
He also rejected the suggestion a deal with the US to avoid tariffs is done but not signed.
Mr Reynolds said: “Obviously, there are things from different people in the administration that they’ve said in the past about this, but it’s not been part of the trade negotiations that I’ve been part of.”
Trending
Mr Trump has branded April 2 “Liberation Day” for the US, as he claimed the tariffs he plans to introduce will free the US from foreign goods and boost its domestic economy.
The US president announced a 25% import tax will be introduced on all cars imported to the US, a measure expected to hit British luxury car makers such as Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin.
The levy is on top of a series of tariffs set to come into effect on April 2, which could include a general 20% tax on UK products in response to the rate of VAT.
Asked about potential retaliatory tariffs in future, Mr Reynolds said he “can’t rule anything out”.
He said there are safeguards in place to avoid the UK being hit by trade diversion in the event of a trade war.
“We already have in place the kind of quotas, what we call safeguards, tariffs that make sure we’re not swamped by the goods that otherwise would have gone to other countries,” he said.
Most Popular Comments