Trump to focus on EU over UK in commerce battle as he desires to see ‘successful Brexit’, former staffer claims | EUROtoday

A potential commerce battle with the US is not going to be as unhealthy as feared, a former political appointee within the final Trump administration has mentioned – claiming the president-elect will goal the European Union extra considerably than Britain as he desires to see a “successful Brexit”.

Peggy Grande, who was a political appointee for Donald Trump, instructed The Independent he’s possible to provide a “preferential trade deal to the UK” and he or she thinks tariffs will “more greatly affect the EU than the UK”.

It comes amid fears of a world commerce battle, after the Republican politician pledged to impose levies of 10 per cent on all items imports from US buying and selling companions, and as much as 60 per cent and 100 per cent for China and Mexico.

But Ms Grande, who additionally labored as Ronald Reagan’s government assistant after he left the White House, mentioned Mr Trump “believes in the special relationship”, including: “I anticipate that if tariffs are involved, they will more greatly affect the EU than the UK.

“Donald Trump has a great fondness for the UK and wanted to see a fully implemented successful Brexit and wants to help with that still by giving a preferential trade deal to the UK.

“Go back to the US-UK free trade agreement he was working on during his first term – I anticipate he will pick that up right where he left off and lean into it again, especially in alignment with tariffs on China.

“The more our countries can unite to put pressure on China, the more it will benefit us both from a trade perspective. It will require both sides, though. Trump is committed. Will the UK be as well? That remains to be seen.”

But former British ambassador to the US Kim Darroch mentioned he expects Mr Trump to comply with by way of on his menace, probably placing Rachel Reeves on a collision course with the president-elect.

The chancellor, making ready to push again in opposition to the potential for tariffs, is anticipated to make use of a keynote speech this week to advertise free and open commerce between nations as a cornerstone of UK financial coverage.

She is anticipated to make use of her first Mansion House speech to set out a post-Budget plan to “go for growth”, in addition to make the case that international enterprise connections have supported economies world wide in instances of disaster. She will name for continued partnerships with Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Mr Darroch mentioned he thinks there will likely be a “stark choice” for Britain, between siding with the EU or sacrificing our agriculture.

Writing about Mr Trump’s remarks on free commerce in The ObserverMr Darroch mentioned: “On tariffs, I expect the exact opposite of a mere threat.

“I think Trump will impose tariffs on all US imports immediately and say, ‘If you want them lifted, offer me something to rebalance trade’.

“The EU will almost certainly retaliate and the UK will face a difficult decision. Do we match EU retaliatory tariffs? Or do we seek a bilateral deal, like a free trade agreement?

“I think an FTA would be on offer from Trump as in 2017: but the top US demand, as was the case then, would be unrestricted access to the UK market for the low-cost products of the US agricultural sector, hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed chicken included. So the stark choice would be: side with the EU or sacrifice our agriculture.”

There is already rising fury from farmers within the UK over the federal government’s choice to increase inheritance tax to cowl agricultural properties.

But the governor of New Jersey state Phil Murphy instructed his “gut” is telling him the president-elect wouldn’t pursue tariffs “against allies like the UK”.

Asked in regards to the subject, the Democrat mentioned: “Do I believe it? I’m not sure. I think if you and I were sitting and speaking about the People’s Republic of China, I’d believe it.”

On Sunday, Treasury minister Darren Jones mentioned Whitehall officers will likely be “considering lots of different scenarios”, amid rising considerations in regards to the potential impression of tariffs.

Mr Jones mentioned Mr Trump “recognises” the essential relationship between the UK and America, including: “The position of the government is that we support free trade and we support the trading relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom.”

A authorities supply confirmed that officers would “continue” to “take advice” to make sure that Britain was “in the best possible position”.

“We look forward to working closely with President Trump’s team to strengthen UK-US trading relations to support businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,” the supply mentioned.