High food standards must remain a red line in any future trade talks with the US, York and North Yorkshire’s mayor has said.
Mayor David Skaith said he would continue to press the Government to ensure local farmers are protected following the announcement that a trade deal had been reached with the US.
The Labour mayor added that he welcomed the Government’s commitment to protecting high food standards and he would ensure promises on market access for UK farmers are kept.
It comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the historic deal, announced on Thursday, May 8, would protect thousands of British jobs in key sectors like manufacturing and steel.
The Economic Prosperity Deal unveiled by President Donald Trump and the prime minister stops the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on British-made steel by the US.
Tariffs on UK-made cars will be set at 10 per cent, down from the 27.5 per cent first floated after Mr Trump unveiled sweeping hikes on import duties in April.
Reciprocal market access has also been agreed on beef with a 13,000 metric tonne quota given to UK farmers without a weakening of food standards for imports.
But the 10 per cent baseline tariffs slapped on goods coming into the US are set to remain in place.
Talks on remaining tariffs and duties on sectors including the pharmaceutical industry are set to continue.
Mayor Mr Skaith said he welcomed the deal but he would continue to scrutinise it as more details emerge.
The mayor said: “I welcome this deal as a boost for British business and I welcome the firm commitment to protecting our high food standards.
“That must remain a red line in all future trade talks, and I’ll continue to press the government on it.
“Farmers across York and North Yorkshire deliver top-quality produce to the highest standards and deserve a fair deal that safeguards their livelihoods.”
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Britain had lost out because some tariffs remained in place.
The leader of the opposition said: “Keir Starmer called this historic.
“It’s not historic, we’ve just been shafted.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the deal should be put to Parliament.
Sir Ed said: “Even after today’s deal, Trump’s terrible tariffs will still be hitting British jobs and businesses hard.
“The only way we will end Trump’s damaging trade war is by standing tough with our allies across Europe and the Commonwealth.”
CBI Chief Executive Rain Newton-Smith said the Government now needed to spell out how it would make the most of the opportunities the deal presented.
The chief executive said: “As one of our largest trading partners, a strong relationship with the US will always be welcomed by business to bolster our mutual competitiveness and kickstart growth.
“The agreement must pave the way for deeper cooperation, making both of our economies prosper and grow.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir said the deal showed the Government was working constructively with the UK’s allies rather than turning its back on the world.
The prime minister said: “As VE Day reminds us, the UK has no greater ally than the United States, so I am delighted that eight decades on, under President Trump the special relationship remains a force for economic and national security.
“This is jobs saved, jobs won but not job done and our teams will continue to work to build on this agreement.”
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