Victoria Derbyshire, the renowned British journalist, recently hosted trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds on BBC Newsnight to discuss the latest tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. The discussion quickly turned into a heated debate as Derbyshire tore into Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, for his “timid” approach towards the new tariffs.
The US president has recently unveiled a range of taxes on all foreign imports, causing a major shakeup in international trade markets. However, the UK government has refused to issue any “knee-jerk” response, despite being hit with a 10% tariff on all British goods going to the US, along with a global 25% levy on cars and steel products.
While other countries such as Canada, the EU, and China are taking a strong stance against these tariffs, the UK government has chosen to wait until May 1st to issue any reciprocal tariffs. During this time, the government plans to consult with businesses and negotiate a new economic deal with the US. However, Derbyshire wasted no time in questioning the effectiveness of this approach.
In a direct and pointed manner, Derbyshire asked Reynolds, “Canada, the EU, China – they’re all fighting back. Is there a point when Keir Starmer starts to look timid in the face of President Trump?” Reynolds, however, defended the government’s approach by stating, “I think that’s a total misreading of the situation. Being calm does not mean you’re passive. Being calm is about making sure you’re pursuing your national interests – in this case, a deeper fairer trade relationship between ourselves and the US.”
Derbyshire, clearly not convinced by Reynolds’ response, continued to press him on the issue. She questioned the government’s lack of action in supporting UK industries and asked why the steel industry was not being nationalized to save it. Reynolds remained steadfast in his defense, stating that the government was taking necessary steps to support trade defense and monitor the situation closely.
But Derbyshire was not satisfied with these answers and pressed on, asking, “How confident are you that the UK isn’t going to go into recession?” Reynolds acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but refused to engage in hyperbole or catastrophizing. He reassured that the UK was taking proactive steps to navigate the global economic situation.
However, when asked about his stance on the tariffs and whether he supported billionaire and informal White House advisor Elon Musk’s call for a “zero tariff situation” between the US and Europe, Reynolds remained non-committal. He stated that the UK would continue to remain committed to open, free, and fair trade, and abide by the rules governing it.
The discussion between Derbyshire and Reynolds highlighted the lack of ambition from Keir Starmer and the Labour Party in addressing the tariffs imposed by Trump. Derbyshire’s pointed questioning and Reynolds’ defensive responses made it clear that the government’s approach was being called into question.
Twitter user Farrukh shared a clip of the heated exchange, where Derbyshire can be seen shredding Reynolds for the lack of ambition and calling out the government’s failure to address the steel industry crisis. She also questioned whether Labour’s proposed economic deal with the US would remove the 10% tariffs.
The debate on BBC Newsnight served as a wake-up call for the government and the Labour Party, highlighting the need for a stronger and more assertive approach towards the US tariffs. With the global economy in a precarious state, it is crucial for the UK to take proactive measures to protect its interests and support its industries.
The current situation calls for a balance between calmness and assertiveness, and it is essential for the government to find this balance. While it is understandable that the government wants to consult with businesses and negotiate a new economic deal with the US, it cannot afford to appear timid in the face of President Trump’s actions.
As Reynolds rightly pointed out, being calm does not mean being passive. It is about pursuing national interests and standing up for fair trade. The UK has a strong and resilient economy, and it is essential for the government to take necessary steps to protect it.
In conclusion, Victoria Derbyshire’s interview with Jonathan Reynolds shed light on the lack of ambition from the government and the Labour Party in addressing the recent tariffs imposed by President Trump. It is crucial for the UK to take a stronger stance and protect its national interests in the face of these tariffs. With the right balance of calmness and assertiveness, the UK
