British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump discussed “progress” made towards an economic agreement between their countries during a “brief discussion” over the phone, Downing Street stated on Monday.
“The United Kingdom is working with the United States on an economic prosperity deal, building on our shared strength of that commitment to economic security,” a spokesperson for the Prime Minister said on Sunday evening. “In these discussions, the Prime Minister and President Trump discussed the progress made.”
No further details about the discussions or the potential agreement were provided.
Since its withdrawal from the European Union on 1 January 2021, London has been eager for a trade agreement with its major ally, which could help it avoid US tariffs targeting many European countries.
The steel industry in the UK is currently subject to tariffs that London has not promised to counter, unlike the EU.
According to British media, London might reconsider its digital services tax, which targets major US tech companies, to avoid new tariffs and secure a trade deal with Washington.
“We will continue to ensure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including digital sector companies,” Keir Starmer’s spokesperson emphasised on Monday.
Last month, Donald Trump raised British hopes during Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to the US, assuring that the US and UK would secure “a real trade agreement where tariffs would not be necessary.”
