UK must stand with Canada and Europe in “united front” against Trump’s trade war

EMBARGO: 22:30 Tuesday 1 April 2025

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a “united front” with Europe and Canada to stand up to Trump’s damaging trade war – as the UK fails to secure a carve-out from tariffs set to hit the British economy.

Britain is expected to be hit by Trump’s tariffs of 20% on all exports to the United States, following the Government’s failure to secure an exemption for the UK from the President’s trade war.

On Monday, Downing Street briefed that the Prime Minister and Trump had had a “productive” phone call ahead of the tariffs coming into force, on what the White House has labelled “Liberation Day”.

However, the Liberal Democrats are arguing that the Government’s approach of cosying up to Trump hasn’t worked. Instead, the UK must now push for a “united front” with Commonwealth ally Canada and Europe, including through a new UK-EU Customs Union, to stand up to Trump’s tariff bullying and put pressure on him to end the trade war.

Commenting, Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said:

“Despite weeks of refusing to criticise Donald Trump's damaging behaviour, it's now increasingly apparent that the Government will not secure a carve out for the UK ahead of Trump's global tariff war.  

“Trump has shown himself to be an unreliable partner on the economy. No-one, not even the US's oldest allies, are safe from the economic harm reaped by this White House.

“We need to end this trade war as quickly as possible. That means working with our Canadian and European allies in a united front against Trump, including retaliatory tariffs where necessary – as well as negotiating a bespoke new Customs Union agreement with the EU to better protect British businesses.”

ENDS