American customs rates: Keir Starmer is ready to protect the British industry in front of a “new world”
The Prime Minister of Great Britain, Keir Starmer, presides over a meeting of British Armed Forces, November 10, 2024. Credit Line: Ian Vogler / AFP / Profimedia
The British government 'is ready' to intervene more in the economy to protect the national industry from American customs tariffs, estimating that 'the world as I knew it has disappeared,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday, AFP reports.
'The world as I knew it disappeared (…). The new world is less governed by established rules and more agreements and alliances, “said the Labor (Central-Stânga) leader in an article published in the Conservative daily the Telegraph.
Washington has imposed 10% customs tariffs on British imports to the US, a lower level than 20% imposed on the European Union.
“We are ready to use industrial policy to protect the British companies in front of the storm,” said Keir Starmer, at the same time acknowledging that in the country that is the cradle of economic liberalism and free trade 'some could be embarrassed by this idea.'
“But we cannot simply cling to our old feelings, while the world changes so quickly,” the British prime minister, who intends to announce measures to improve the competitiveness “of the British economy, insisted.
At this stage, London has not announced response to American customs, because the British executive has been negotiating for several weeks with Trump's administration on an economic agreement that could suppress all or some of these rates.
“Immediate priority is to remain calm and to beat us for the best possible agreement,” Keir Starmer insisted on Sunday. “However, all options remain on the table,” he added.
The Labor government has launched a consultation within the economic environment regarding a possible response.
“I will conclude an agreement (with the US) only if it is beneficial for the British companies and the security of the workers,” the prime minister of the United Kingdom also warned.
In a telephone exchange on Saturday, Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed that a commercial war is not in anyone's interest, but that nothing should be excluded '(Agerpres)
