‘Both Countries Will Become Stronger’: Trump’s Trade Deal Will Give U.S. More Access To U.K. Economy

President Donald Trump, joined by representatives from the United Kingdom in the Oval Office, announced on Thursday that the two countries will cut back on trade barriers in the first major trade deal for the president.

The agreement will allow the United States to gain increased market access in the United Kingdom — the sixth-largest economy in the world — for billions of dollars worth of American exports, according to Trump. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who spoke to the president over the phone, told Trump he is “really pleased” with the deal between the two allies. The final details are still being worked out, but Trump will keep some tariffs in place on British imports. The president emphasized that the deal would boost both countries’ industrial bases and help protect steel.

“Both countries have agreed that economic security is national security and will be working together as allies to ensure that we have a strong industrial base and appropriate export controls and protections for key technologies and industries like steel,” Trump said. “Steel was a big factor. Both countries will become stronger with steel.”

Shortly after announcing the deal, President Trump posted a chart on social media, showing that Britain’s tariffs on U.S. goods will drop to 1.8% while “reciprocal tariffs” on the United Kingdom will remain at 10%. Trump said other nations should not view the 10% tariff on Britain as a template for how the administration will negotiate future deals.

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Asked by Daily Wire White House Reporter Mary Margaret Olohan if the trade deal includes any assurances from Britain to protect free speech and freedom of religion, Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the agreement is solely focused on the economy.

Lutnick added that the deal will also allow the United Kingdom to export up to 100,000 vehicles to the United States for a 10% tariff. Lutnick said the agreement will enable the U.K. to maintain access to the U.S. market while also protecting American jobs. The United States will be able to gain more access to U.K. markets to sell agricultural products such as “ethanol, beef, [and] machinery,” according to Lutnick. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the deal will “exponentially increase our beef exports” to the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom will also be allowed to export Rolls-Royce engines and airplane parts to the United States tariff-free, and Britain will purchase $10 billion worth of Boeing airplanes from the United States, Lutnick added.

Starmer praised Trump and his trade team for working out the trade deal.

“Really important deal,” Starmer said. “This is going to boost trade between and across our countries. It’s not only going to protect jobs, but create jobs, opening market access.”

The deal is a significant step for the Trump administration as it seeks to negotiate new trade agreements with dozens of countries worldwide following the president’s “Liberation Day” tariffs rollout last month.