Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to keep all options "on the table" as the Prime Minister considers how to respond to Donald Trump's decision to impose a 10 per cent tariff on British exports to the US.
Speaking in Derbyshire for Labour's Local Elections launch, Starmer stressed "nobody wants a trade war" but admitted "we have to protect ourselves".
He also promised to "act in the national interest", adding: "We have to adapt in ways that go beyond the mere question of tariffs."
The Prime Minister's comments came just minutes after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed the Government will consult on a potential retaliation against the US.
Sir Keir Starmer in Derbyshire
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In a sign of what the UK needs to do to avoid a further levy hike, Trump today urged Britons to buy chlorinated chicken from the US if it wants tariff relief.
In a statement published alongside the tariff announcement, the White House said: “The UK maintains non-science-based standards that severely restrict US exports of safe, high-quality beef and poultry products.”
It suggested that Britain’s ban on chlorinated chicken was among a range of “non-tariff barriers” that limits the US’s ability to trade.
The UK has long ruled out allowing imports of chlorine-washed chicken from the US due to health concerns, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterating her opposition to any concessions on the issue in November.
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Donald Trump shows off his tariff boardREUTERSHowever, No10 is not expected to buckle on food standards.
Asked whether the UK could allow imports of chlorine washed chicken in order to appease the US, the Prime Minister’s officials spokesman said: “Our position on that is unchanged.
"You’ve got the manifesto commitment on food standards, which obviously remains.”
There had been speculation that Starmer would concede ground on agriculture and technology to bring about closer trading relations going forward.
Keir Starmer
GETTYHowever, the Liberal Democrats have instead urged the Government to pursue a Justin Trudeau-style "Buy British" campaign.
Sir Ed Davey's party said it was crucial that this is bolstered with pro-business policies to reduce the cost of doing business and stimulate demand for British products.
Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper said: “People across the country are deeply worried about what Trump’s trade war means for their living standards, and want to know what they can do to help. We need to bring the country together, and show collectively that we won’t take Trump’s tariffs lying down.
“The Government should launch a campaign to encourage people to Buy British and support our high streets, as part of a national effort to back British businesses. That must be bolstered with a raft of serious measures to unleash the potential of our businesses including overhauling business rates, scrapping the jobs tax and fixing our trading relationship with the EU.
“Ministers also need to rule out making concessions to Trump that would damage our local farmers, threaten the NHS or undermine the online safety of our children. We need to send Trump a clear message that Britain will not be bullied, by rallying round our businesses at home and working with our Commonwealth and European allies abroad.”
