Ministers and Senior MPs Caution British Accords with the Trump Administration are 'Built on Sand'.
Government ministers and leading parliamentarians have issued warnings that the United Kingdom's series of deals with Donald Trump are "built on sand." This comes after revelations that a much-touted deal on medicines, which pledges zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS paying more, lacks any detailed agreement beyond broad headline terms contained within government press releases.
Lacking Legal Footing
The deal on drug tariffs, promoted as a "significant" achievement, remains an "agreement in principle" without a signed legal text. Observers point out that the public statements from the UK and US governments present the deal in markedly contrasting terms. The British version focuses on securing "duty-free access" as a singular success, while the American announcement concentrates on the expectation for the NHS to pay 25% more for new medications.
"There is a serious risk that the UK government has made commitments to raise drug prices in return for little more than a assurance from President Trump," commented David Henig, a trade expert. "We know he has a record of not honouring his word."
Broader Instability and a Paused Tech Deal
Anxieties have been intensified by Washington's action to pause the Β£31bn "tech prosperity deal", which was previously called "a huge leap forward" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a lack of progress from the UK on lowering trade barriers as the reason for the pause.
In a separate development, concessions promised for British farmers as part of an May trade agreement have yet to be formally signed off by the US, despite a imminent January deadline. "Our understanding is that the US has not yet signed off the agreed beef export quotas," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.
Uncertainty Among Officials
Behind the scenes, ministers have voiced worries that the government's deals with Washington are lacking substance. One minister reportedly said the series of agreements as "resting on shaky ground," while another described the situation as the "new normal" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "greater risk and fluctuation."
Layla Moran, a senior MP on the health committee, argued: "Perhaps most shocking than the administration's tactics is the UK government's credulous faith that his administration is a trustworthy negotiator. The NHS is not a bargaining chip."
Government Downplays Risks, Points to Gains
Officials have sought to reduce the possibility of the US backing out of the pharmaceuticals deal. One source indicated the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been advocating for the agreement, wanting clarity on imports and pricing, making it of tangible value than the paused tech deal.
Officials acknowledge that unpredictability is a feature of dealing with the current US leadership. However, they maintain that the UK has secured concrete outcomes for businesses, such as reduced duties on automobiles compared to other nations. "Our achievement of 25% steel tariffs, which is better than the rate for the rest of the world, is a solid gain," one official said.
Yet, issues have arisen in implementing the May tariff agreement. Promised quotas on beef exports have not materialized, and the commitment to "eliminate duties on UK metals" has is still pending, with tariffs remaining at 25%.
As negotiations continue, the two sides have scheduled to restart talks on the paused tech prosperity deal in January, following what were described as "constructive" meetings between UK and US officials in Washington.
