Latest news with #BritishEmbassyWashington
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
British Embassy Trolls US on Independence Day: 'Hope It Pours Down'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The British Embassy has trolled the U.S. on Independence Day by posting a meme on social media implying it hoped for bad weather in the U.S. Posting on X, the British Embassy's in Washington mocked the U.S., as people around the country celebrate the federal holiday. Why It Matters The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, when 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. It is typically celebrated with large gatherings and fireworks display, though this year several cities have canceled or postponed events, citing concerns about immigration enforcement and overcrowding. Fireworks light up the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in St. Louis. Fireworks light up the St. Louis skyline and the Gateway Arch on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in St. Louis. David Carson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP By poking fun at the U.S., the British Embassy is reflecting the historical context of long-ago poor relations between the two countries. Since then though, the two countries enjoy a strong alliance, which was dubbed a "special relationship" by U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the 40s—a term that remains today What To Know The embassy account used a popular meme format, a series of stills taken from a conversation between English soccer player, David Beckham, and his musician wife, Victoria Beckham, from their 2023 documentary series, Beckham. It imagined a conversation between the pair which started with Victoria Beckham wishing the U.S. well and ended with her saying: "I hope it pours down and the BBQs go out." "Enjoy your big day! Honestly..." the account added. 🇺🇸 Enjoy your big day! Honestly... — British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) July 4, 2025 It is not the first time the British Embassy has trolled the U.S. On May 21, International Tea Day, the account mocked Americans for drinking iced tea and, in June, it joked "We're not usually ones to celebrate British Army defectors" in reference to a statue of George Washington in London. The U.S. Embassy in London has not responded to the jibe, and has only posted on X: "Happy 4th of July everyone!" What People Are Saying Writing on X, one user wrote: "This is the best 4th of July meme I've seen. Well played, Brits. Glad we are friends now." Another user wrote: "British humour is impossible to beat." And another said: "That's a very long grudge. Still stings??" What Happens Next Despite some cancellations, the vast majority of Fourth of July events will still take place across the country. On Independence Day weekend, a series of demonstrations, rallies and other events protesting the Trump administration have also been planned across the country.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs an early challenge for new ambassador Mandelson
British steel exports to the US will be hit with 25% tariffs under Donald Trump's plans as the UK's new ambassador to Washington, Lord Mandelson, said people must respect the president's 'strong and clear mandate'. The president's executive order removes exemptions for the UK and other countries, meaning steel and aluminium exports to the US will be hit by tariffs from March 12. The move presents an early challenge for Lord Mandelson, whose appointment cleared its final hurdle late on Monday. After an historic ceremony in DC, Peter Mandelson is officially His Majesty's Ambassador to the US! 🇬🇧🇺🇸From protecting our people, to growing our economies; our nations are better together. As a longstanding friend of the US, he looks forward to deepening this vital alliance. — British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) February 10, 2025 Lord Mandelson said 'President Trump's administration is shaping up to be one of the most consequential periods in modern America' and he has been 'energised by the opportunities opening up' for closer collaboration. The UK's top diplomat in Washington said Sir Keir Starmer's Government can 'always make our views known privately and directly' to Mr Trump but that it must 'understand what drives him'. Lord Mandelson acknowledged he is 'concerned' about the looming prospect of tariffs and said Britain will 'not necessarily agree' with every detail of the new US president's agenda. 🚨 President Trump signs 25% tariffs on steel imports: "This is a big deal. This is the beginning of making America rich again." — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 10, 2025 Asked how the UK could try to persuade Mr Trump to change his position on certain policy areas without alienating his administration, he told the BBC: 'Well, we've got to take all these issues as they come, realise that the president has a very strong and clear mandate for change in the United States. 'Now that doesn't mean to say that we're going to agree in Britain with every single detail of what he does, but we have to respect and understand what drives him, what his mandate is to do, and how his allies need to adjust sometimes. 'And I believe that, given the relationship that we have, we can always make our views known – best, by the way, directly and privately. 'We have a strong relationship that enables us to influence the president and his policies where necessary, and it certainly should not affect our ability to work well together, and that's what I intend remains the case.' Britain exported 166,433 tonnes of steel to the US in 2023, the last full year for which figures are available. Figures from trade body UK Steel showed that in 2024 some 162,716 tonnes were sent to the US, but that does not yet include data from December. UK Steel warned the tariffs 'would be a devastating blow to our industry'. Mr Trump said the tariffs are 'the beginning of making America rich again'. The US is the industry's second-largest export market after the EU, although the Government said it only accounted for 5% of UK steel exports in 2023. The Prime Minister is hoping to visit Washington in the coming weeks for face-to-face talks with Mr Trump, but no details have yet been confirmed on the timing of the trip. Lord Mandelson, a former minister, European Union trade chief and a key architect of Labour's renewal in the 1990s, said his 'priority' in his new role will be to help encourage an investment relationship with the US fit for the 21st century. 'Each of us wants to grow our economies,' he said. 'I think that what we need to do is to build a technology and investment relationship between the US and the UK that's fit for the 21st century. That's where I want to focus.' He added: 'We're going to depend in growing our economy on private investment, foreign investment, a large amount of which is going to come from the United States of America.'
