David Lammy has refused to admit that Britain escaping the worst of Donald Trump's tariffs is a Brexit benefit in the latest pro-EU outburst from the Foreign Secretary.
Last week, Trump slapped the UK with a 10 per cent tariff on goods exported to the US - but at the same time, handed the EU a 20 per cent rate.
And Lammy told Italian paper La Repubblica this morning: "We are facing a significant change in the way the global trading system works, but it has nothing to do with Brexit.
"We have been working intensively in recent weeks on a negotiation for a broader economic agreement with the United States, and these negotiations will continue."
Lammy claimed Britain dodging the worst of Trump's tariffs had 'nothing to do with Brexit'
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That came despite his Cabinet colleague Darren Jones declaring that the lower 10 per cent rate facing the UK was indeed a "Brexit dividend", telling Sky News that "I've struggled to find one in the past but there is one we've ended up with".
Lammy had previously declared that Brexit was a "national tragedy", a "con", a "trick", a "swindle" and a "fraud".
And today, Reform UK leader Richard Tice labelled the Foreign Secretary a "remainiac" - and lashed out at Tory leader Kemi Badenoch too.
"No matter how much remainiac Lammy tries to hide it, the truth is that we have avoided 20 per cent tariffs as a direct result of Brexit," Tice said.
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Darren Jones, chief secretary to the Treasury
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"Instead of re-litigating arguments of the past, this Labour Government should be focused on doing Brexit properly, getting rid of EU regulation and making us the most pro-business country in Europe - something Kemi failed to do in her time as Business Secretary."
Despite internal disagreements, Westminster has adopted a measured approach to Trump's tariffs.
Ministers have ruled out imposing retaliatory measures against the United States.
Instead, Britain continues to push for a comprehensive trade agreement that might soften the impact of the new levies.
Speaking at a Jaguar Land Rover plant in the West Midlands, Keir Starmer called for "cool heads" in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs
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While negotiations with the US continue, Sir Keir Starmer has announced measures to support Britain's vulnerable automotive sector.
The UK auto industry, heavily dependent on exports to the American market, faces particular challenges from the 25 per cent levy on vehicles, which sits alongside the 10 per cent universal tariff on the UK.
Speaking at a Jaguar Land Rover plant in the West Midlands, the Prime Minister called for "cool heads" in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs adding the UK had to "rise together as a nation" in the face of a new era of global instability.
He added: "These are challenging times, but we have chosen to come here because we are going to back you to the hilt."
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