UK, US Finalize Trade Deal Removing Steel Tariffs, Cutting Car Tariffs to 10%

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a tentative trade deal aimed at easing tariffs between the two countries, including the removal of tariffs on UK steel and aluminum and reducing car tariffs to 10%. The deal was hailed by Starmer as a "fantastic, historic day" and seen as vital to protecting British jobs, particularly in the car industry, which faced hefty tariffs that threatened thousands of positions. Trump touted the agreement as a significant economic security measure and emphasized the strong alliance between the U.S. and the UK. However, critics and analysts noted that the deal offers limited economic benefits to the UK, with the 10% tariff rate on cars remaining and ongoing uncertainty in the UK economy. Meanwhile, Canada, under Mark Carney's leadership, is pursuing a different approach by focusing on building economic and political frameworks independent of the U.S., contrasting with the UK's more conciliatory stance. The deal sparked mixed reactions domestically, with some Conservatives criticizing the timing and nature of the announcement, while Starmer defended staying engaged in negotiations rather than abandoning the relationship.