Nigel Farage hit out at the Tories for not securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the US after Donald Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs. The US President has announced levies on goods coming into America from countries across the world.

The UK has been hit by a 10% tax on products entering the US, but it is less than the 20% tariffs slapped on the EU. Reform UK leader Mr Farage said: “10% tariffs from the USA are bad news, but better than 20% for EU members.

“If the Tory government had delivered quickly on Brexit we would have had a free trade deal years ago. This deal is still achievable.”

The Labour Government has been scrambling to strike an economic deal with the US ahead of what Mr Trump dubbed “liberation day” when he announced the tariffs yesterday.

Sir Keir Starmer today admitted there would be an economic hit to the UK from the tariffs.

The Prime Minister indicated that he would fight for a trade deal with the US rather than immediately respond with retaliatory measures, although he stressed that “nothing is off the table”.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump’s tariffs “will not make the US wealthier but they will make all of us poorer” as she urged the Prime Minister to strike a “deep and meaningful trade deal” with the US.

She said: “Leaving the EU has left us in a stronger position on trade. We now have an independent trade policy but this only works if it is used properly by people who know what they’re doing.

“The only party with any recent experience of negotiating deals is the Conservatives.

“We are here and ready to help in the national interest. It’s time for the Labour Government to get a deep and meaningful trade deal with the US that removes these tariffs and delivers growth without compromising on standards.”