𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer has been left humiliated after Donald Trump downgraded UK-US trade deal negotiations as “second-order priority”. It’s reported that US officials have ranked all trade deals currently under negotiation based on their importance.

The UK has been placed in either phase two, or phase three. One person with knowledge of the talks told the Guardian: “The US has now decided to negotiate its trade deals in three phases. The Government has been told it will not be in phase one – though that leaves the door open to be in either phase two or three.”

A spokesperson for the business department said: “The US is an indispensable ally and negotiations on an economic prosperity deal that strengthens our existing trading relationship continue.

“We’ve been clear that a trade war is not in anyone’s interests and we will continue to take a calm and steady approach to talks.”

However the Conservative shadow Trade Secretary told the Express the news is yet another “epic fail” by Labour.

Andrew Griffith said: “If Britain is beaten to a US trade deal by India this will be another epic fail by Labour.”

“Starmer’s busy playing footsie with Brussels whilst other nations get deals done with the world’s largest economy and our closest ally.

“He was slow to act, lost our chief negotiator and like most of his cabinet, spent years insulting Trump. Britain deserves better.”

Labour has recently come under fire for jeopardising efforts to secure a US trade deal by trying to tie Britain back to the European Union.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said a pact with the world’s largest economy would be a “very, very big prize”.

But the arch-Brexiteer warned that Labour’s push for closer ties with Brussels risks scuppering a US deal.

Speaking to the Daily Express in Dover, Mr Farage said: “They’re in a slightly stronger position than we are, just given that they’re America. But we have advantages too. We have a president that likes our country, unlike the rest of Europe we have a pretty balanced pattern of trade with America, whereas they all run big surpluses with America.

“So it’s all doable but then she needs to rethink the other side of her life, which is she’s talking about supporting free movement of people under 30 with the EU, she’s talking about a reset with the EU.

“In the last few weeks, we’ve sort of harmonised as it were standards on foods, veterinary services, we’re talking about extending that. And the closer you get to the EU, the less flexibility you have to deal with other parts of the world.

“There is a big opportunity there and it’s worth remembering that the American economy has doubled in size in 15 years, doubled against the eurozone. So a deal with America is a very, very big prize, don’t let getting too close to the EU ruin it.”