Downing Street Admits Its Own Negotiating Work Had No Impact on Tariff Rate – Guido Fawkes

Downing Street Admits Its Own Negotiating Work Had No Impact on Tariff Rate

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There is currently a row over Downing Street’s spin last night that its negotiating work had lowered tariffs from Trump: “We don’t want any tariffs at all, but a lower levy than others vindicates our approach.” This was lapped up last night by Lobby hacks who hailed the Starmer-Trump White House meeting as an unmitigated triumph. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp jumped on that one this morning…

When Starmer’s spokesman was asked to defend that claim at midday the line had changed: “It’s up to the US to set out the reasons behind their tariff decision…. It’s a fact the UK received the lowest rate… direct questions to the US on their calculations.” The US has an elucidation of its own…

The explanation from the White House is: “The numbers have been calculated by the Council of Economic Advisers … based on the concept that the trade deficit that we have with any given country is the sum of all trade practices, the sum of all cheating.” I.e. nothing to do with negotiations…

This is why there is no rate lower than 10%, which is the base rate. Some charm offensive…