Economist pours cold water on Trumps trade deal with the UK
CNN1 day
US, UK Sign First Trump Tariff Deal
Above: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 27, 2025. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford/Contributor/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Spin
Labour Party narrative
This is a major win for both countries. While Trump has shown his tariff strategy can lead to practical concessions from global trade partners, Starmer has cemented the United Kingdom's special relationship by being at the front of the queue to reach a deal with Washington. Both governments will see today's announcement as a key early milestone within their premierships.
Conservative Party narrative
This is nothing more than a PR stunt. With minute financial impact, the agreement will do little to refill the pockets of businesses and consumers who were left reeling by Trump's illiterate economic policies. Meanwhile, Starmer has failed to remove tariffs on most goods and remains far from an FTA. Despite the pleasantries, both countries are no better off than they were yesterday.
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump’s historic trade deal with the UK is a major win for American industries, opening new markets and reducing tariffs. By pushing for fairer trade terms, Trump once again proves his "America First" agenda is delivering real benefits for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.
Democratic narrative
Trump's US-UK trade deal is less a triumph and more a distraction from his erratic economic policies. While offering modest tariff reductions, it fails to address the broader instability his trade wars have incited, leaving American industries and consumers vulnerable. This underscores Trump's penchant for headline-grabbing deals that prioritize optics over progress.