Lib Dem MP flounders as she struggles to make case for EU commerce deal and Tesla tariffs | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A Liberal Democrat MP made a toe-curling pitch for the UK to enter into an EU commerce deal in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs. Daisy Cooper made the suggestion on BBC’s Question Time, in response to a query on how the UK ought to reply to Trump’s menace to impose a 25% responsibility on imported automobiles.

Cooper stated: “There is only one language that Donald Trump understands and that is the language of strength and it strikes me that the UK Government thinks that if it just cowers in the corner, we’re just hoping that Donald Trump isn’t too mean to us and I don’t think that is a decent strategy.” The member for St Albans urged the UK to arrange for retaliatory measures and to arrange different choices for commerce, together with with the EU. However, when requested how the UK would converse the language of power, Cooper struggled to offer concrete solutions.

When requested what she would do in response, Cooper recommended: “We should start preparing the groundwork for retaliatory tariffs… start with Tesla tariffs, hit Elon Musk and Donald Trump where it hurts.”

Cooper tried to reiterate her need to see the UK strike an settlement to enter the EU’s customs union earlier than being lower off by Question Time host Fiona Bruce.

Bruce probed: “You have already made that point. In terms of talking tough and retaliatory tariffs, you have mentioned only Tesla, now I don’t know Tesla’s sales figures but I know they are quite expensive cars, most people don’t have one, what strength are you going to show?”

Cooper floundered: “Definitely start with the Tesla tariff.”

When questioned once more as to what else the Lib Dems would suggest, Cooper responded meekly: “It is for the Government to work out. Our idea is to start with Tesla tariffs and go from there.”

Tesla gross sales have fallen by 40% throughout Europe since Musk helped Donald Trump reclaim the US presidency.

It offered fewer than 17,000 automobiles in February in comparison with 28,000 in the identical month in 2024. Year on yr gross sales fell by greater than 70% in Germany in February.

Many social media customers have been left unimpressed by the Lib Dem representatives makes an attempt to offer options to the problems posed by the US administration.

One stated: “Tesla tariffs? Oh for goodness sake grow up!”

Another added: “Haha Fiona legend (in this episode). Tesla tariffs, that’s Lib Dems only idea for ‘strength’.”