British premier vows ‘cool and calm’ response to Trump tariffs

LONDON

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Thursday that the UK government will respond to new US tariffs with “cool and calm heads,” insisting Britain is prepared for the economic impact.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a minimum of 10% tariffs on imports from all countries, including the UK, set to take effect Saturday.

Speaking to business leaders at his Downing Street office, Starmer emphasized pragmatism.

“I want to be crystal clear – we are prepared,” he said. “One of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a cool head.”

He acknowledged that the tariffs imposed by Trump would have economic consequences for the UK but did not specify their severity.

While his government hopes to negotiate a deal to reduce or remove the tariffs, he said retaliatory measures were not “off the table.”

“We move now to the next phase of our plan,” he said. “We have a range of levers at our disposal, and we will continue our work with businesses across the country to understand their assessment of these options.”

Starmer stressed that any economic agreement with the US must serve Britain’s national interests, insisting he would not sign a deal unless it was “the right thing to do for the security of working people.”

“Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal, one that strengthens our existing trading relationship – they continue, and we will fight for the best deal for Britain,” he said.

His comments marked a shift in tone, with Starmer acknowledging that Trump’s actions have altered the dynamic of the UK-US relationship.

While he has tended to highlight the alliance between the two nations, he made clear Thursday that Britain would act independently in its response.

“Last night, the president of the US acted for his country. That is his mandate,” he said.

“Today, I will act in Britain’s interests … Decisions we take in the coming days and weeks will be guided only by our national interest.”

While the 10% tariffs on the UK will be felt, importers of British goods were spared higher rates, such as the 20% levied on the EU, 54% on China or 46% on Vietnam.

Trump said his decisions were a "declaration of economic independence."

The tariffs will remain in place until Trump "determines that the threat posed by the trade deficit and underlying nonreciprocal treatment is satisfied, resolved, or mitigated," according to a White House statement.