London, April 19 (IANS) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed his commitment to free and open trade while also stressing the importance of protecting national interests during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, according to a statement from Downing Street.
The two leaders spoke on Friday afternoon, with trade negotiations between the UK and the US taking centre stage. Both sides expressed optimism about the ongoing “productive trade discussions,” signaling a potential path toward a future agreement, reported Xinhua news agency.
The conversation also covered key global issues, including the situations in Ukraine and Iran, as well as recent US-led military actions targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The call follows President Trump’s controversial move earlier this month to impose broad tariffs on multiple countries. Although a 90-day pause was later introduced for certain tariffs, a base tariff of 10% remains on imports to the US, including those from Britain. Additionally, UK industries such as automotive, steel, and aluminum still face 25% tariffs on relevant exports to America.
In an interview on Monday, US Vice President J.D. Vance said there is a “good chance” of finalizing a trade deal with the UK, noting that Washington is working closely with Starmer’s government. Meanwhile, British Chancellor Rachel Reeves is scheduled to visit Washington next week to continue trade discussions.
Adding a diplomatic note, Trump hinted on Thursday at a planned state visit to the UK in September. The call marked the first official conversation between Starmer and Trump since the US president announced the new wave of tariffs on April 2, calling it “liberation day.”
Despite ongoing negotiations, Trump signaled he is in “no rush” to finalize any trade deals, citing the strong revenue generated from the tariffs. “Many countries want deals more than I do,” Trump said, adding that agreements will happen “at a certain point.”
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