Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has responded to Donald Trump's decision to slap 10 per cent tariffs on Brexit Britain.
The trade levy, which comes in well-below the 20 per cent imposed on the European Union, will still spark fears among UK-based businesses as costs increase and the FTSE falls.
However, the UK's decision to leave the EU was hailed as delivering a major benefit to Britain compared to the Brussels bloc's remaining 27 member states.
In a post on social media, Farage appeared to hint a trade deal between the UK and US remains possible.
Nigel Farage
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He said: "Ten per cent tariffs from the USA are bad news, but better than 20 per cent for EU members.
"If the Tory Government had delivered quickly on Brexit we would have had a free trade deal years ago. This deal is still achievable."
Farage, who is spearheading Reform UK's 2025 Local Elections campaign, recently criticised former Prime Minister Boris Johnson for his handling of Brexit.
Speaking in Kemi Badenoch's seat of North West Essex, the Clacton MP said: "They didn't really want to leave the European Union. It was all a game about who leads the Conservative Party."
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Despite receiving criticism from Farage, the Tories this morning claimed Brexit "saved" Britain from facing the 20 per cent levy currently being imposed on EU member states.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: "US tariffs are disappointing news which will worry working families across the country. But our Brexit freedoms have saved us from the worst."
He added: "The silver lining is that Brexit - which Labour ministers voted against 48 times - means we face far lower tariffs than the EU: a Brexit dividend protecting thousands of British jobs and businesses."
Sir Keir Starmer is keeping "all options on the table", with No10 consulting on bringing in measures ranging from retaliatory tariffs to an economic accord with the US.
Nigel FaragePAResponding to Trump's tariffs earlier this morning, Starmer vowed to respond with "cool and calm heads".
The Prime Minister said: "Last night the President of the United States acted for his country, and that is his mandate."
"Today, I will act in Britain’s interests with mine. Nothing else will guide me, that is my focus," Starmer added.
"Clearly, there will be an economic impact from the decisions the US has taken, both here and globally. But I want to be crystal clear: we are prepared, indeed one of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a cool head."
A Downing Street source also said the lower levy for the UK “vindicates our approach” after weeks of intensive diplomacy by Starmer and his Labour colleagues.
