ALEX BRUMMER: This is why the UK-US trade deal is NOT the triumph that Starmer wants us to think it is | Daily Mail Online

A Cautious Assessment of the UK-US Trade Deal

This article analyzes the recently announced UK-US trade deal, arguing that it falls short of the triumph portrayed by some. While the deal offers temporary relief to specific sectors like automotive and aerospace, it leaves many significant issues unaddressed.

Key Concerns

The author points out the following shortcomings:

• Limited Scope: The deal's benefits are largely restricted, with quotas limiting expansion in areas like car exports.
• Unresolved Issues: Crucial matters, such as the access of Britain's life sciences sector to US markets and the impact of American big tech on Britain's creative industries, remain unresolved.
• Uncertainty Remains: The deal does not eliminate the uncertainty affecting consumer, investor, and business confidence on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Chlorinated Chicken and Hormone-Treated Beef: The article highlights the looming threat of imports of these products to British consumers.
• Financial Imbalance: The deal may generate significantly more revenue for the US than it does for the UK.
• Technology and Digital Services Tax: A significant omission is the lack of detail on technology and digital services tax, which remains a point of contention.

Overall, the article concludes that while the deal offers some immediate relief, it is considerably less beneficial than some claim. The author emphasizes the need for caution and a thorough assessment of the deal's long-term implications. The relationship between the UK Prime Minister and President Trump is deemed 'unlikely' but in the end, the author suggests the reality of the deal is less advantageous than portrayed by the UK government.