Keir Starmer’s attempts to strike a free trade deal with the US are at risk over a free speech row after the US State Department warned there would be “no free trade without free speech” – but Whitehall officials have dismissed it as a bluff. The Telegraph has more.
In a highly unusual step on Sunday night, the US State Department issued a statement saying it was “concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom” in relation to the case of an anti-abortion campaigner.
It said it was “monitoring” the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, who was prosecuted for holding a sign near a Bournemouth abortion clinic reading: “Here to talk if you want.”
A verdict in the case is due on Friday.
The State Department, responsible for US foreign policy, would not usually comment on the domestic policies of another country.
Asked about the comments, a source familiar with trade negotiations told the Telegraph there should be “no free trade without free speech”, a stance thought to have become a point of contention between the two nations.
Sir Keir has been trying to strike a trade deal with the US since coming to power.
However, the Government is braced for Donald Trump’s long-promised global tariffs, expected to come into force on Wednesday, as hopes fade for a deal before the US president’s ‘Liberation Day’.
Mr Trump confirmed on Sunday that the tariffs would hit “all countries”, prompting markets to tumble.
After a phone call between Mr Trump and Sir Keir at the weekend, No 10 conceded on Monday that tariffs would be likely to hit Britain.
An official from the US bureau of democracy, human rights and labour met Ms Tossici-Bolt during a recent visit to the UK.
In a statement, the branch of the State Department said: “US-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“However, as Vice-President Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom. It is important that the UK respect and protect freedom of expression.”
Last month, Mr Vance told the Munich Security Conference that he feared “free speech in Britain and across Europe was in retreat”.
No 10 said it continued to have “constructive discussions” with the Trump administration over trade.
A Whitehall source sought to downplay the significance of free speech to trade talks, telling the Telegraph: “We know it is something they have a bugbear about. We are happy to have discussions on our broader, wide-ranging relationship.
“I don’t think enhancing our economic engagement that is beneficial for both countries is contingent on this particular issue.”
Worth reading in full.
Once again it appears officials are assuming Trump is not serious even when he repeatedly says something. It’s exactly the mistake they made with NATO and defence spending, assuming he wasn’t absolutely sincere when he said Europe needed to up its game or risk the alliance. It would seem reckless to assume he’s bluffing this time.
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“‘So your working-class builder who’s worried about spending £60-a-week on ULEZ is now an extremist?’: Fury as ‘disgraceful’ Sadiq Khan is slammed for ‘smearing’ critics of his war on London’s motorists as ‘far Right’ and ‘Covid deniers’”
Please see my previous days description of Matt Hancock to explain my feelings about Sadiq Khan!
Are Londoners losing the plot?
GET RID of him for goodness sake!
One observation about democracy is that many people can’t help voting for parties or candidates that make their lives worse.
Morning all, hope everyone’s heads aren’t too sore 🤢!
“Germany and Italy block Brussels from banning petrol and diesel cars”
Brussels unelected Parliament who’s power is backed by Germany, Italy, Spain and France, all major cars produces, who’d have thunk?
If this ban goes ahead, you are effectively closing down car production in Europe!
There’s more than one way to close down a car industry, I would imagine the end of cheap reliable energy in Europe will see the flight of manufacturing
“Just 59% of the half-a-million strong increase in those classed as economically inactive can be explained by demographic changes, reports the Mail.”
My evidence is only anecdotal/an impression but I think an extended period where people were paid for doing nothing has had a serious negative impact on national work ethic, self discipline and energy levels. There have always been people with a “why am I bothering” approach and perhaps they found that validated and have now changed their habits for good.
Helping race relations wasn’t the intention. The race industry thrives on conflict. The intention is to defeat the other side. It’s a war.
https://twitter.com/togetherdec/status/1631686856914944000
The opposition did no opposing – what opposition? We have suffered the effect of a uniparty state for years- and look where that has got us.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11817467/Fresh-texts-reveal-Matt-Hancock-discussed-Covid-propel-career-day-virus-hit-UK.html
I apologise for my language but he is a twunt of the highest order. I don’t suppose it will too long before big ears is tapping his shoulder with the ceremonial sword – for services rendered.
Big ears knighting a noddy!
😀 😀 😀
The “Miracle Cure”, or not, depending on one’s point of view.This one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSJZ9ROBY3Y&list=WL&index=2 came up today – “This might surprise you!” By Richard Vobes.
https://stevekirsch.substack.com/p/now-published-in-the-peer-reviewedNow published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature: “The mRNA vaccines are neither safe nor effective, but outright dangerous”
In case you missed it. Every health authority in the world should be warning the public about this. The paper was published Sept 21, 2022.COVID-19 vaccines – An Australian Review was published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature on Sept 21, 2022.
Here’s the two sentences from the paper that everyone should read:
A worldwide Bayesian causal Impact analysis suggests that COVID-19 gene therapy (mRNA vaccine) causes more COVID-19 cases per million and more non-Covid deaths per million than are associated with COVID-19 [43].
An abundance of studies has shown that the mRNA vaccines are neither safe nor effective, but outright dangerous.