Davey: Starmer must “hit Trump and his cronies where it hurts” with retaliatory tariffs

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff on UK goods from 1 February until the US acquires Greenland, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Donald Trump’s attempt to ransom us over the sovereignty of a NATO ally is an act of economic thuggery that cannot go unanswered. The Prime Minister’s strategy of appeasement has failed. We must show the White House that the UK will not be bullied into submission while our industries are targeted and our sovereign allies are threatened.

“The Government must immediately cancel the £3bn ‘Trump tax’ on our NHS. We should not be handing over billions in pharmaceutical ransom payments while our own health and care services are in crisis. We should also swiftly coordinate with our European partners to prepare a robust package of retaliatory tariffs and measures to hit Trump and his cronies where it hurts.

“Britain is strongest when we stand tall with our neighbours, not when we act as a doormat for a bully. We need to lead a coalition of the willing in Europe to protect our interests and defend our values. It is time to show Donald Trump that neither the UK economy nor Greenland are his playthings.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Last April, the Government compiled a list of US products it could hit with tariffs, see further reporting here

See previous Lib Dem call on NHS Trump tax here