Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that the UK is “not choosing between the U.S. and the EU,” following President Donald Trump’s latest tariff threats against Europe.
Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico—later paused for negotiations—and suggested the EU could face similar measures. However, he indicated a trade deal with the UK remained possible.
Asked whether he would sacrifice closer ties with the EU to maintain good relations with the U.S., Starmer emphasized the importance of both partnerships. “Now, that for me isn’t new, I think that’s always been the case and will be the case for many, many years to come,” he said at a press conference in Brussels. He also reaffirmed support for “open and strong trading relations” with the U.S., noting it was still “early days” in discussions.
During his visit, Starmer met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and attended talks with EU leaders—the first British prime minister to do so since Brexit. Rutte downplayed U.S.-EU tensions, stating that disagreements “will not get in the way of our collective determination to keep our deterrent strong.”
On Ukraine, Rutte stressed that NATO must “not only sustain but continue to step up our support” to ensure Kyiv negotiates from “a position of strength.” He also argued that the 2% GDP defense spending target was “not enough to keep us safe,” urging countries to increase their commitments. The UK currently spends 2.3% and plans to outline a path to 2.5%.
At a European Council dinner, Starmer pushed for greater UK-EU military collaboration, including improvements in logistics, research, and industrial cooperation. He also called for better coordination on countering state threats and protecting critical infrastructure—particularly undersea cables, a growing security concern following reports of Russian surveillance activity.
While Starmer aims to reset UK-EU relations, this balancing act risks upsetting the U.S., potentially entangling Britain in a trade dispute. Likewise, the EU could resist closer UK-U.S. ties at its expense.
A Downing Street spokesperson insisted Starmer “trusts Trump” and highlighted their “constructive early conversations.” The UK and U.S. share a trading relationship worth around £300 billion annually, with over £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s economies.
However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage accused Starmer of being a “rejoiner at heart,” arguing Britain should prioritize a free trade deal with the U.S. instead. “If we start to tie ourselves to industrial collaboration [with the EU], then we find ourselves with less flexibility in doing deals with countries like America,” he warned.
The global markets reacted to Trump’s tariff threats, with European and Asian stock markets falling—automakers being hit hardest. A University of Sussex study suggested that a blanket 20% tariff on U.S. imports could cost the UK £22 billion in lost exports.
Trump defended the tariffs as a way to protect American jobs, though they could raise consumer prices. Following negotiations, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a delay in the tariffs after agreeing to deploy 10,000 troops to combat drug trafficking. Similarly, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed a 30-day pause while discussions continue.
European leaders have vowed to push back if the EU is targeted. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that if European interests were attacked, the bloc “must react.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that trade wars have “no winners,” suggesting China could benefit if tensions escalate.
When asked whether he would impose tariffs on the UK, Trump responded: “UK is out of line, but I’m sure that one… I think that one can be worked out.” He added that his discussions with Starmer had been “very nice” and that they were “getting along very well.”
Aside from defense, the UK is keen to discuss easing restrictions on food and animal product trade with the EU, aligning emission trading schemes, and ensuring easier travel for touring musicians. The EU has proposed a youth mobility scheme to allow young people to study and work across borders, though the UK government has yet to support the idea.
While Downing Street has not ruled out joining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention for tariff-free trade, the opposition remains divided. The Conservatives accused the government of “edging us back into the EU,” while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a new UK-EU customs union. He criticized Trump’s tariffs, saying the U.S. president was “acting like a playground bully” and urged Britain to “stand strong with our allies in the Commonwealth and Europe.”
