
‘More to do' on US steel tariffs than Trump and PM can resolve, minister signals
Sir Keir and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney also plan to urge the US president to apply pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where the population is facing starvation.
When the UK and US signed a trade deal in June, it reduced tariffs on car and aerospace imports to the US.
But agreement on a similar arrangement for Britain's steel imports was not reached, leaving tariffs on steel at 25%.
American concerns over steel products made elsewhere in the world, then finished in the UK, are said to be among the sticking points.
Sir Keir is expected to spend most of the day with President Trump on Monday, when he will have a chance to press the president on a steel deal.
But Business Secretary Mr Reynolds suggested it may take more than a meeting between the two leaders to resolve the matter, telling BBC Breakfast: 'We were very happy to announce the breakthrough that we had a few months ago in relation to sectors like automotive, aerospace, which are really important to the UK economy.
'But we always said it was job saved, but it wasn't job done. There's more to do.
'The negotiations have been going on on a daily basis since then. There's a few issues to push a little bit further today.
'We won't perhaps have anything to announce a resolution of those talks, but there's some sectors that we still need to resolve, particularly around steel and aluminium, and there's the wider conversation about what the US calls its reciprocal tariffs.'
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has signalled there is 'more to do' on steel tariff talks with the US. (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
It comes after Mr Trump announced he had agreed 'the biggest deal ever made' between the US and the European Union after meeting Ursula von der Leyen for high-stakes talks at Turnberry on Sunday.
After a day playing golf, the US leader met the president of the EU Commission to discuss the broad terms of an agreement that will subject the bloc to 15% tariffs on most of its goods entering America.
This is lower than a 30% levy previously threatened by the US president.
Sir Keir is also likely to use his time with Mr Trump to raise the starvation faced by the population of Gaza.
The Prime Minister has condemned Israel for restricting the flow of aid into the territory, alongside the leaders of France and Germany.
The UK will take part in efforts led by Jordan to airdrop aid into Gaza, Sir Keir said over the weekend.
Elsewhere, he is facing pressure from more than 220 MPs to immediately recognise the state of Palestine, something which French president Emmanuel Macron has promised to do.
Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Gaza City, Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)
The US is the country 'with the leverage' to make a difference in the conflict in Gaza, the Business Secretary suggested.
Mr Reynolds told BBC Breakfast that Gaza would 'of course' be on the agenda for the meeting of the two leaders, adding: 'The intolerable scenes that we're seeing, the world is seeing, are the backdrop to that.
'And of course, the US has itself secured on two occasions ceasefires in the conflict, so they have been actively engaged in it, working with Egypt, the Qataris, and other key partners in the region.'
Mr Swinney also promised to raise Gaza with Mr Trump, as it was 'causing deep unease and concern and heartbreak within Scotland'.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Pardons, positions and power: Trump's donor list raises questions about pay-for-access in his administration
A new financial disclosure from a super PAC supporting President Donald Trump contains the name of the deep-pocket donors who have gained access to the White House. MAGA Inc.'s donor list includes Trump appointees, a mom who managed to get Trump to pardon her son, and cryptocurrency traders, according to a new report by the New York Times. The super PAC managed to pull some major donations for the president; according to the disclosure, MAGA Inc. raised more than $177 million for Trump since January. Some names on the list wound up working for Trump in his administration. Anjani Sinha, a friend of Trump's, was nominated to be the ambassador to Singapore. He donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. He hasn't been approved for the position yet, possibly because he struggled to answer questions about Singapore during his confirmation hearing. Cody Campbell, who is now on Trump's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, donated half a million dollars to the super PAC. Josh Lobel, now sitting on Trump's Intelligence Advisory Board, donated $250,000. Several major donors are tied to the crypto industry, which has by and large found a friendly ally in Trump. According to the Times, Trump's inaugural committee raised an enormous $239 million, with approximately $18 million of that coming from crypto-related donors. According to the filing, donors working in cryptocurrencies accounted for $45 million of the donations reported through MAGA Inc. One donor alone — crypto entrepreneur Eric Schiermeyer — donated $1 million, and was given the chance to have dinner with Trump in Mar-a-Lago in March. The pair didn't just eat and chat — during the dinner, Schiermeyer apparently pitched Trump on an idea for a cryptocurrency called the "USA Token" that would be doled out to Americans for use in transactions. He reportedly wanted a government contract for his company to handle the task, according to the Times ' reporting. He told the paper that he managed to get his idea in front of Trump face-to-face, so he considers it a win. 'I was able to say my piece, and the idea is clearly making the rounds, so mission accomplished from my view.' he told the Times. And then there's Elizabeth Fago, who handed over $1 million to MAGA Inc. and got herself a dinner with Trump. Three weeks later, her son, Paul Walczak, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud, was pardoned. A White House spokesperson who talked to the Times anonymously said that Fago's words, rather than her cash, convinced the president to give her son a break. 'He spoke directly to a mother who pleaded for her son, and when you're talking to a mother pleading for her son, that's a pretty powerful thing,' the source reportedly said. The Independent has requested comment from The White House. According to MAGA Inc., all of the apparent benefits that come along with shoveling money at Trump are just a coincidence. It told the Times that Trump doesn't treat donors any different from normal Americans. 'President Trump values his supporters and donors, but unlike politicians before him, he cannot be bought and works toward the best interest of the country,' it told the paper.


Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Huge car brand returning to the UK selling all EV line-up only available in four countries
The legendary manufacturer's return to Great Britain signals the accelerating evolution of the automotive industry, with petrol-guzzling muscle cars making way for emission-free automobiles An iconic name in the automotive world is making a clean break from its past and gearing up for a major return to the UK market following an eight-year absence. American luxury brand Cadillac, which has long been associated with big V8s and bold design, will be offering a lineup of fully electric vehicles when it relaunches on British soil. Cadillac's return is a bold move by General Motors (GM), which established its European headquarters in Zurich back in 2021 as part of a renewed continental push. The first UK-bound model will be the Cadillac Lyriq, a premium all-electric SUV retailing at around £68,000, that has so far only been available in Switzerland, France, Sweden and Germany. It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule. According to CEO of GM Europe, Pere Brugal, the brand will focus solely on electric vehicles, with the UK being one of its key markets going forward. He told Autocar: "It is one of the [markets] that we're focusing on right now." While the UK release date hasn't yet been revealed, the CEO did confirm the Lyric will be available soon after final testing is completed in Ireland, and that Cadillac is aiming to launch in the UK with at least two models. But Mr Brugal declined to confirm which ones will be joining the Lyriq, saying: "We want to make sure we launch not only with one model portfolio. We want to make sure we launch with at least a two-model portfolio." The specifications of the Lyriq are impressive — the entry-level version offers a range of around 330 miles and generates 520bhp. Those wanting an extra boost can choose the performance-focused top-tier model, which increases power to 606bhp. However, as Mr Brugal pointed out, launching in the UK is not just about shipping cars across the Atlantic. The ability to import Cadillac's growing portfolio will depend heavily on the alignment of emission regulations and safety standards between the US and Europe. "If the regulations between the US and Europe harmonise, it will make our life easier," he explained. "We will bring a lot of benefit to the final customer, because that will increase the range of options.' He also noted the possibility of designing a bespoke GM model specifically for European tastes. Unlike previous Cadillac ventures in the UK, the relaunch will eschew traditional dealership networks. Instead, the all-electric models will be sold using an online-based model, supported by pop-up 'experience' centres inviting customers to see, drive and configure their cars. This strategic attempt to modernise the buying experience mirrors the approach used by other EV manufacturers such as Polestar. As the Lyriq prepares to hit UK roads, Cadillac's all-electric resurgence signals not just the return of an iconic brand, but also the accelerating evolution of the automotive industry, with tradition giving way to innovation and petrol-guzzling muscle cars making way for emission-free automobiles.


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
TOBIAS ELLWOOD: Schoolyard threats between Russia and US with apocalyptic high stakes
This is classic gunboat diplomacy – a demonstration of brute American force to make Russia think twice about making idle threats. President Trump's public announcement that he was redeploying two nuclear submarines is obviously designed to avoid – not incite – all-out war with Moscow. But it's also a potentially dangerous escalation between two nations armed to the teeth with weapons capable of extinguishing life on this planet. And it underscores how sour the US-Russia relationship is becoming. At its heart is the rude awakening that Mr Trump has had to experience since he took office. Remember how, before he re-entered the White House, he promised that he could end the Ukraine war in 24 hours? Once re-installed in the White House, he even sided with Putin over Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in pursuit of such a peace deal. But Mr Trump's assumption he could do business with Putin has since come crashing down. Every time the West flinched at Putin's nuclear threats during discussions about arming Ukraine, it emboldened him. Once you're spooked, Putin has you over a barrel. Secondly, what does this say about the backchannels between the West and Moscow? After the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, there were big red phones on both presidents' desks, reminding them 24/7 that in a nuclear conflict there are no winners. But now, over 60 years on, these two nuclear superpowers are arguing on social media. At its heart is the rude awakening that Mr Trump has had to experience since he took office. Once re-installed in the White House, he even sided with Putin over Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) in pursuit of such a peace deal To keep this in perspective, this wasn't a formal White House response to satellite images showing missile launchers on the move in the US's backyard. Nor was it triggered by a declaration of military intent from Putin. It came from Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council – a man known for stirring up mischief on social media. Last week he sought to tweak Mr Trump's tail by warning that each new US ultimatum over the conflict in Ukraine was 'a threat and a step towards war'. Tough words, but hardly reason for the US President publicly to redeploy two nuclear submarines? This episode shines a spotlight on Mr Trump's strategic misstep. After going out on a limb to find a deal on Ukraine, he's been humiliated. And now his response feels like an overreaction to comments that, when analysed, didn't warrant the attention they received. Ultimately, this should serve as a steep learning curve – one that shows Mr Trump just how flawed that Russia-friendly stance really was and how essential backchannels are. It also shows how alarmingly close we may be to sliding toward open conflict. Donald, this isn't statecraft. It's schoolyard brinkmanship with apocalyptic stakes.