
‘Discussions continue' over US steel tariffs deal ahead of deadline, says No 10
The UK has already managed to negotiate a deal with the US which eliminates the threat of tariffs to British car and aeroplane manufacturers.
Our work with the US continues to get this deal implemented as soon as possible No 10 spokesman
But a reprieve for the steel industry is yet to be finalised, leaving open the threat that the current 25% tariff rate could rise to 50% after the July 9 deadline.
Mr Trump is reportedly stepping up pressure on countries who could soon be subject to the tariffs, urging them to negotiate trade deals with the US.
But amid signs of confusion within the US administration, trade secretary Howard Lutnick has suggested America's trade partners will see the levies begin on August 9, after receiving a letter outlining them on July 9.
Asked if the Government was confident a deal would be reached on UK steel, a No 10 spokesman said: 'Our work with the US continues to get this deal implemented as soon as possible.
We have very close engagement with the US, and the US has been clear that it wants to keep talking to us to get the best deal for businesses and consumers on both sides No 10 spokesman
'That will remove the 25% tariff on UK steel and aluminium, making us the only country in the world to have tariffs removed on these products.
'The US agreed to remove tariffs on these products as part of our agreement on May 8. It reiterated that again at the G7 last month. The discussions continue, and will continue to do so.'
Pressed again whether ministers were confident British producers would not be hit by the 50% tariff, the Downing Street spokesman said: 'As I say, discussions continue.
'We have very close engagement with the US, and the US has been clear that it wants to keep talking to us to get the best deal for businesses and consumers on both sides.'

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The Independent
39 minutes ago
- The Independent
How Angela Rayner has become the most influential figure in Starmer's government
As Keir Starmer gathered his top ministers for a special away day in Chequers for a team-building reset on Friday, one figure arrived in a much more powerful position than she was in just two weeks ago. It is now widely recognised by Labour MPs, across the different wings of the party, that deputy prime minister Angela Rayner 's influence in this government is greater than almost anybody else. Certainly more than the wounded chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been beset by economic woes, and even more than health secretary Wes Streeting who, like Rayner, has been tipped as a future contender for the leadership. She was, though, completely unprepared for the shot fired by the Unite union, after its general secretary announced it had suspended her membership for failing to resolve the Birmingham refuse collectors dispute. But while a trade union that looks set to peel off and back Jeremy Corbyn's new party gave her a headache, Ms Rayner nevertheless is enjoying a surge in influence – for now. Welfare rebellion The biggest reason for her rise is the result of the welfare rebellion just over a week ago. As one party whip put it: 'There's nobody more powerful in the government than Angela at the moment. 'She was the one who brokered the deal with Labour rebels, she was the one who talked people off the ledge from voting against the government.' As another ally pointed out that she did not even want the disability cuts and had already sent a leaked memo to Ms Reeves suggesting wealth taxes instead of austerity. Now, after last Wednesday's PMQs, it seems like the government has no option but to raise taxes. But the turnaround for Ms Rayner actually started with her holdout in the spending review, where she got a £39bn for housing and more than expected for local government. A spot of union bother Some may see the recent decision by Unite the union to suspend her membership (even though she left the union in April) as a problem. But behind the scenes it has confused people on the left and other unions, who believe Ms Rayner has turned Starmer's government leftward on disability benefits and steering through the bill on workers' rights. As a TUC source noted: 'The main metric we are judging this government by is the workers' rights legislation and that is on course.' Unite took action because of her position on the Birmingham bins strike. But an ally of Ms Rayner said: 'It's wild! They know full well that Angela cannot directly intervene in the way that they say, and to attack one of the few remaining cabinet members who is standing up for workers rights and real labour values is simply mad.' However, it remains to be seen if the escalating clash with Unite will halt Ms Rayner's rise. A rival court to Downing Street How the tide can turn. Just over a month ago, there was talk about Ms Rayner being demoted and losing the housing part of her portfolio. Now there is speculation in Westminster that the deputy prime minister could soon have her own official office, with its own staff and comms team. There is some scepticism, especially over what it would mean for Sir Keir himself and his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. As one ally of Ms Rayner noted: 'Morgan will hate the idea and do everything he can to stop it. An Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) would create a rival court, an alternative centre of government.' The last person to have an ODPM was John Prescott under Tony Blair, but unlike Ms Rayner, Prescott was never seen as a candidate to replace Sir Tony. All about the leadership There is still a lot of fevered speculation about whether Sir Keir can survive as prime minister. 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Daily Mirror
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
8 unhinged Donald Trump moments as Epstein row has top team on resignation watch
Donald Trump was swept back to power in November by an unusual and fraught coalition of voters. The biggest group were regular, struggling Americans who for some reason believed him when he said he'd make their shopping cheaper. But it's unlikely those Americans would have got him over the line without another contingent - who you might call the new MAGA hardcore. They're younger, more likely to be male, and much more likely to get their "news" from podcasts and social media. They're also much more likely to believe conspiracy theories about something fishy going on with the suicide of notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and subsequent investigations into his life, crimes and death. Some of them will have got these ideas from podcasters like Kash Patel, who is now, somehow, director of the FBI. Or maybe from Dan Bongino, another podcaster who is now Patel's deputy at the FBI. 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Here's what you need to know. According to the New York Times, Bongino and Bondi - along with Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles - had a massive blow up over the Epstein investigation. It's said Bondi accused Bongino of leaking to conservative news outlets, blaming the AG for the backlash over the probe. Bongino denied it... but then didn't turn up for work on Friday. According to Laura Loomer, one of MAGA's best connected whisperers, he's now considering resigning over the row. It's important not to underestimate how much damage Bongino leaving in anger might cause for Trump. Before Trump installed him in the FBI, he was the host of a lucrative podcast with a huge audience of MAGA hardcore listeners - and his credibility with those listeners has been put at risk by the Epstein row. He blames Bondi for that - although it's hard to see how this particular buck doesn't stop with the President himself. 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Kassam went on: "Susie Wiles a long standing close and personal friend of Pam's. In the event Trump would consider keeping Dan (and maybe Kash if he wants out, too) it is likely his Chief of Staff will recommend against it. Which adds layers of problems…" Yes. Steve Bannon is wrong about a great many things, but he's able to count. He suggested at an event yesterday that the Epstein row, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the MAGA hardcore, could cost Trump both the mid-terms and the next Presidential election. He said: "For this to go away, you're gonna lose 10% of the MAGA movement. If we lose 10% of the MAGA movement right now, we're going to lose 40 seats in 2026, we're going to lose the presidency." "They've disheartened the hardest-core populists," he added. Trump has found a wizard wheeze that lets him send weapons to Ukraine while not annoying MAGA any more than he has to. He suggested in an interview with NBC that the plan would be to sell the weapons to other NATO countries, who would pass them on to the besieged nation. In the same interview, Trump was asked about concerns from the CEO of Hasbro - which manufactures Monopoly and My Little Ponies - that their prices would have to go up as a result of his tariffs. Trump brushed off the warning. "If you look at the numbers, inflation's gone down," he said. "I don't know. I didn't hear anything about Hasbro. I don't care about their prices." One has to imagine that as Christmas approaches, many Americans will start to care very deeply about the price of My Little Ponies. Trump later added: "But if they make their toys here, if they made their toys here, they wouldn't have a price increase." As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is , select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our . During a trip to survey the devastation following floods in Texas, Trump was asked about how well local officials were prepared and how quickly they acted - including if warning systems might have given more people time to evacuate. Trump replied: "Only a bad person would ask a question like that, to be honest with you, I don't know who you are, but only a very evil person would ask a question like that. This has been heroism." Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn. Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.


Daily Mirror
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Bank of England issues update on future of cash use in UK
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