Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs Loom as UK Scrambles for Trade Deal

With April 2 tariffs approaching, the UK engages in last-minute negotiations to avoid economic fallout, considering concessions like scrapping the digital services tax.

President Donald Trump is set to announce sweeping 'reciprocal tariffs' on April 2, targeting nations with significant trade imbalances with the U.S.
The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is in urgent talks with the U.S. to secure a trade deal or exemptions from the tariffs, which include a 25% duty on auto imports.
The UK is weighing concessions such as eliminating the digital services tax, worth £800 million annually, to gain tariff relief and strengthen economic ties with the U.S.
Economists warn that the tariffs could harm global trade, increase consumer prices, and potentially trigger a recession, with retaliatory measures already being prepared by other nations.
The UK's efforts to negotiate a deal reflect its broader post-Brexit strategy to balance relationships with the U.S. and the EU while addressing domestic economic challenges.