UK prepared for all eventualities, says Starmer as new Trump tariffs loom
The UK has “prepared for all eventualities” when it comes to looming US tariffs, with no response ruled out, Keir Starmer has told MPs before Donald Trump’s so-called liberation day, which could spark a global trade war.Challenged by Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, at prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer said while all options were being considered, he would avoid any kneejerk reactions.Starmer told the Commons in his opening remarks: “Let me be clear with the house, a trade war is in nobody’s interest, and the country deserves, and we will take, a calm, pragmatic approach.“That is why constructive talks are progressing to agree a wider economic prosperity deal with the US.That is why we are working with all industries and sectors likely to be impacted.
Our decision will always be guided by our national interests, and that’s why we have prepared for all eventualities, and we will rule nothing out.”Badenoch accused him of a “failure to negotiate” for not yet securing a wider US trade agreement that could circumvent some or all tariffs, but Starmer rejected this.He said: “It is important at moments like this that we don’t have kneejerk reactions, that we are actually cool-headed about this.”Starmer also rejected a call from the Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, to mimic Ukraine negotiations and assemble “an economic coalition of the willing” who would reciprocate en masse any US tariffs.This was, the prime minister said, an attempt by Davey to “tempt me to make what I think is a false choice between our relationship with the US and our relationship with other countries, particularly Europe”.
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, said the government had been “working through every eventuality” for the tariffs and any potential damage to the UK economy.“We do recognise this is likely to be a very challenging period,” she told BBC Breakfast.“We still have negotiations under way with our US counterparts about securing an economic deal, but we will always act in the national interest and the interest of the British people.”Sign up to First EditionOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersafter newsletter promotionPhillipson added: “I think what [people in Britain] want, and what business and industry wants, is for us to maintain a calm and quite pragmatic approach during this time and not engage in a kneejerk response, because the last thing that anybody would want is a trade war with the US.”Since taking office, Trump has rattled global stock markets and caused consternation among business leaders by announcing and then delaying plans to impose tariffs on foreign imports.
The threats have soured relations between the US and its largest trading partners.Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, has called them “unjustified” and said his country would react robustly.The EU has said it has a “strong plan” to retaliate.
Grand National 2025: horse-by-horse guide to all the runners
Last year’s winner I Am Maximus heads to Aintree on Saturday bidding to make history. Here is a look through the chances of all 34 contendersThere was a lot going on in the spring of 1974. Abba won Eurovision, Manchester United were relegated and Red Rum became the most recent horse to win the Grand National under what was then the top weight of 12 stone. Just over half a century later, last year’s winner will attempt to emulate the greatest Aintree hero of them all and defy top weight, and though he is higher in the ratings, he won so readily 12 months ago that he would surely have done so with another 8lb on his back. Lacklustre in two runs this campaign but Willie Mullins will have been working backwards from here and he seems highly likely to leave that form behind now he is back at the scene of his greatest triumph
Will a fifth year become the norm for women’s college basketball stars?
With lucrative NIL deals and championships to chase, the biggest names in the NCAA have something to think about being turning professionalOn UConn’s senior night in February 2024, inside a packed Gampel Pavilion, Paige Bueckers took the mic. “I know everybody wants me to address the elephant in the room,” she told the crowd. “Unfortunately, this will not be my last senior night here at UConn.” With that, she confirmed her decision to return for a fifth and final year with the Huskies.Bueckers’ extended eligibility comes from NCAA rules that grant student-athletes five years to compete in four seasons, with an additional year for those who played in 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 waiver
Max Verstappen indicates he was unhappy Red Bull sacked Liam Lawson
Max Verstappen has intimated he was unhappy with the way his Red Bull team suddenly sacked their driver Liam Lawson after just two races and replaced him with Yuki Tsunoda from sister team Racing Bulls, speaking in the buildup to this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.Red Bull dropped Lawson with a shocking speed after he underperformed in his first two races for the team, a bluntly emphatic act even by F1 standards. In the immediate aftermath the former driver Giedo van der Garde described Red Bull’s treatment of the 23-year-old as “closer to bullying or a panic move” and that they “gave Liam two races only to crush his spirit” in a post on Instagram, which was liked by Verstappen.Speaking at Suzuka the world champion was explicit that he concurred with Van der Garde’s opinion. “Well I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself; it [the like] was not a mistake,” he said
Stephen A Smith v LeBron James turns NBA’s narrator into a main character
ESPN’s biggest name has never been shy about giving his opinion. But now he is part of the drama he so often comments onWho would win in a fight between LeBron James and Stephen A Smith is a question only Stephen A Smith would think to ask. There has been little avoiding the question since the Los Angeles Lakers superstar confronted ESPN’s No 1 personality during a recent game against the New York Knicks. The player was venting his displeasure at Smith for his pointed comments about James’s eldest son, and Lakers teammate, Bronny – the 55th pick in last year’s NBA draft.James approached Smith, a courtside spectator for the game, and appeared to tell him to “keep my son out of this shit” – a callback to Smith questioning whether Bronny deserved to be on a league roster
Minister seeks inquiry into British Basketball’s ‘potentially criminal’ deal
The sports minister, Stephanie Peacock, has asked the government body responsible for elite funding, UK Sport, to investigate allegations made against the British Basketball Federation. On Wednesday, the BBF signed a 15‑year agreement with an American consortium to operate a new men’s professional league from 2026.The existing nine Super League Basketball clubs are deeply unhappy with the BBF’s plans for the sport. On their behalf Vaughn Millette, the Sheffield Sharks owner, wrote in February to the government after the BBF had entered exclusive negotiations with Marshall Glickman’s GBB League Ltd (GBBL), to outline their concerns.In a reply seen by the Guardian, Peacock said some of the allegations made by Millette are serious and some are “potentially criminal in nature” and said they would be for the police to investigate
‘Sundance Kid’ JP McManus has five shots at Grand National history
For a man who is still most familiar to many fans as the most fearless gambler of recent decades, JP McManus does not seem to be leaving a great deal to chance before Saturday’s Grand National at Aintree.Three of the top six in the betting for the world’s most famous steeplechase – Iroko, Perceval Legallois and last year’s winner, I Am Maximus – will carry the owner’s famous green and gold colours this weekend, along with a live each-way shot in Meetingofthewaters. The Sundance Kid – as he was nicknamed in Ireland’s betting rings in the 1970s – is now in his mid-70s, but he shows no sign of slowing down.Quite the opposite, in fact. He went into last month’s Cheltenham festival as the meeting’s all-time leading owner with 78 wins over the course of 43 years since Mister Donovan gave him his first festival winner in 1982
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