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Headline Roundup May 8th, 2025

US, UK Announce Trade Deal to Lower Tariffs

Summary from the AllSides News Team

President Donald Trump announced a "full and comprehensive" agreement with the United Kingdom to lower tariffs on Thursday.

The Details: The UK agreed to reduce or eliminate some tariffs on US goods, and the US will reduce tariffs on UK steel, aluminum, and auto parts. Trump said the deal would also streamline more US exports of beef and ethanol to the UK. The deal leaves in place the 10% basic tariff on all UK goods the Trump administration announced on April 2.

Key Quotes: The deal will "cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come," Trump said via Truth Social. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal "fantastic" and "historic." Both leaders praised the other's professionalism and negotiating efforts.

For Context: Trump has imposed steep tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum since returning to office. All UK imports were hit with a 10% tariff, with additional 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto parts. The UK had also placed a 10% duty on car imports. The US is the largest market for British auto exports and one of the UK's most important trade partners.

How the Left Covered It: Coverage grew negative as details of the agreement slowly trickled out. When the news first broke, The New York Times (Lean Left bias) said the deal "could be a significant win for both countries, which have long sought closer economic cooperation." CNBC (Lean Left) focused on positive stock market reactions and how the dollar strengthened against other currencies following the announcement. Later in the day, the Times wrote, "As the dust settled, though, it became clearer that this was just a framework for a deal and there could be weeks, if not more, of additional negotiations before it became final." An economic analyst told Washington Post (Lean Left) the deal wouldn't nearly make up for the damage of the 10% basic tariffs still in place.

How the Right Covered It: Fox Business (Lean Right) showcased the deal's agricultural provisions and quoted Trump and his cabinet officials several times. One America News (Right) called the deal "major" and "massive" and included two of Trump's Truth Social posts.

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Featured Coverage of this Story

What the U.S.-U.K. trade deal Trump announced means for Britain
What the U.S.-U.K. trade deal Trump announced means for Britain

Alberto Pezzali/Pool/AP

News

LONDON β€” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed a β€œfantastic, historic” day as he joined President Donald Trump in announcing a new trade deal between their countries β€” an agreement Starmer said would protect thousands of British jobs.

Every British prime minister since the 2016 Brexit vote to leave the European Union has sought to secure a trade deal with the United States that they could trumpet. But the outlines of the agreement announced Thursday did not amount to the prize the United Kingdom has been seeking. Although the deal...

Open on Washington Post
Trump touts UK trade deal as boosting US agriculture, beef producers
Trump touts UK trade deal as boosting US agriculture, beef producers

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images

News

President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom on Thursday, which he and White House officials touted as boosting America's agriculture industry, particularly beef producers.

The deal will see lower tariffs as well as reduced non-tariff barriers on a number of goods, including agricultural products, though the basic 10% tariff rate the Trump administration previously imposed will remain in place.

The White House said the deal will expand U.S. market access in the U.K. by $5 billion, including $250 million for agricultural products like beef. The U.S. and U.K....

Open on Fox Business
What is in the UK-US tariff deal?
What is in the UK-US tariff deal?

Getty Images

News

The UK and the US have reached a deal over tariffs on some goods traded between the countries.

President Donald Trump's blanket 10% tariffs on imports from countries around the world remains in place and still applies to most UK goods entering the US.

But the deal has reduced or removed tariffs on some of the UK's exports, including cars, steel and aluminium.

Here's an at-a-glance look at what's in the deal.

Open on BBC News

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