UK won’t engage in ‘kneejerk’ response to Trump tariffs, says minister

Bridget Phillipson warns of ‘difficult period’ ahead for trade, but government ‘working through every eventuality’

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The UK government will not engage in a “kneejerk” response to any tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, as it warned there would be a “difficult period” ahead in trade relations with the US and called for calm.

The US president is to announce his latest round of tariffs on Wednesday – which he has called “liberation day” – sparking concerns over a global trade war.