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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