The government does not believe Donald Trump will impose trade tariffs on the UK but is “prepared for all scenarios”, a cabinet minister has said.
Darren Jones, the chief secretary of the Treasury, said Sky Information’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that the return of the former president to the White House “could be something enormously positive and with many opportunities.”
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on all imports to the United States, highlighting Canada, Mexico and China as countries that could face more severe measures within hours of his inauguration on Monday.
Asked what the government would do if that happens to the UK, Jones said it was a “hypothetical” question and we would have to wait and see “what actually happens”.
Policy Center: Trump is “within his right” to make statements about tariffs
“If that happens, I will come back and tell you the details. But the point is, I don’t think we’re in that scenario,” Jones said.
He said there is a narrative in the UK that Trump’s presidency represents “a big risk for Britain”, when that is not the case.
“Britain is a brilliant country with enormous capabilities and assets that are valued not only by the British people, but also by the American economy and other parts of the world,” he said.
“I have no doubt that under the Trump administration there will be many opportunities that we can take advantage of, and we must be positive about it and be strong to secure this agreement.”
Jones confirmed that there is ultimately a plan if tariffs are imposed, but said it’s not his place to “lay out the details before something happens on TV.”
“It is not breaking news that the government is preparing for all scenarios,” he added.
“My broader point is that we should not see President-elect Trump’s inauguration as a risk or a bad thing for the UK. “It could be a hugely positive thing with a lot of opportunities.”
President-elect Trump He will be sworn in for a second term on Monday, following his election victory in November, and there have been concerns about what the promised tariffs could mean for economies around the world.
The former businessman has made it clear that he plans to pick up where he left off in 2021, taxing goods coming into the country, making them more expensive, in an attempt to protect American industry and jobs.
Read more:
Trump’s tariff threat prompts IMF warning
What Trump’s tariffs could mean for the UK, EU, China and the world
The United Kingdom “should seek a free trade agreement” with the United States
Shadow Foreign Secretary Ms. Priti Patel, who is in Washington DC for the inauguration, said Trump is “within his right to make whatever statements he wants about the tariffs… but as always, this is a discussion and a negotiation.”
He said the Labor government should resume his party’s talks on a post-Brexit free trade deal with the United States and “not even get into these discussions about tariffs.”
A trade deal with the United States had been set as a priority in the Conservatives’ 2019 manifesto. but it was not achieved at the time of the general election in July last year, which they lost.
Ms Patel continued to call out the UK’s reformist leader. Nigel Farage an “impromptu act” and “not relevant” when asked if his party should make peace with him to get along with Trump, given the pair’s close relationship.
He said conservatives and Republicans are “brother parties” with “longstanding and long-standing ties.”
“We’re not an emerging act in the way that they (Reform UK) are… so I don’t think it’s particularly relevant,” he said.
However, liberal Democrats accused the former Inside secretary of “competing with Reform to be more submissive towards Trump.”
Confidence in Mandelson’s appointment
Trump’s inauguration has also caused a stir after reports in Sunday newspapers suggested he could reject Lord Peter Mandelson as Sir Keir Starmer’s candidate. Nomination for ambassador of the United Kingdom to the United States.
The Labor great has criticized Trump in the past and last month a Trump activist called him an “absolute moron.”
Mr. Mandelson. Photo: PA
However, Jones indicated he was confident the Blair-era minister would take over and told Sky Information he “very doubts” the media reports are true.
“It is probably being spread by some politicians who would like to cause a bit of annoyance. “I doubt that is the case.”
Government ‘disagrees’ with Khan’s comments about Trump
Jones was also forced to distance himself from comments made by the Labor mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Mr Khan has warned of a battle that will define a century against “resurgent fascism,” writing in The Observer that “these are deeply worrying times, especially if you are a member of a minority community.”
Jones said he does not associate himself with that language and that questions about it “are up to Sadiq to answer.”
He later told the BBC: “I speak for the government and we do not agree with it.”
