US President Donald Trump is set to announce a bilateral trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday, Politico reported, citing two sources briefed on the matter.
The deal, teased by Trump as the “first of many” in a late-night Truth Social post, arrives amid plunging West Coast port traffic and mounting fears of consumer goods shortages across the US.
While specifics remain undisclosed, the pact signals a breakthrough in strained transatlantic relations following Washington’s imposition of 10% tariffs on UK imports in April. Britain—spared steeper reciprocal duties due to its trade deficit with the US—has nonetheless contended with 25% levies on steel, aluminium, and automotive exports.
Senior British negotiators reportedly flew to Washington this week, accelerating talks ahead of a critical UK-EU summit later this month.
Trump’s announcement, slated for 10:00 a.m. from the Oval Office, could outline either a comprehensive deal or a preliminary framework, sources cautioned. The development follows weeks of stalled multilateral negotiations, with the administration prioritising talks with India, Japan, and South Korea to allegedly isolate China commercially.
Big News Conference tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m., The Oval Office, concerning a major trade deal with representatives of a big, and highly respected, country. The first of many!
The timing aligns with growing domestic unease over supply chain disruptions, as US retailers warn of impending shortages in vehicles, furniture, and electronics. West Coast port activity has plummeted to pandemic-era lows, with analysts attributing the slump to pre-emptive stockpiling ahead of anticipated tariff escalations.
