🔗 Share this article

Ministers and senior MPs have expressed alarm that the United Kingdom's recent agreements with Washington are "lacking a solid foundation." This comes after revelations that a recently announced deal on pharmaceutical tariffs, which pledges zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS facing higher prices, lacks any formal legal text beyond limited headline terms published in government press releases.

Lacking Legal Footing

The deal on drug tariffs, hailed as a "significant" achievement, remains an "broad understanding" without a signed legal text. Observers point out that the official announcements from the UK and US governments frame the deal in divergent terms. The British version celebrates securing "duty-free access" as a singular success, while the American announcement dwells on the expectation for the NHS to pay significantly more for new medications.

"The danger exists that the UK government has agreed to terms to raise drug prices in return for only a assurance from President Trump," commented David Henig, a trade policy analyst. "We know he has a tendency for not following through on agreements."

A Pattern of Unreliability

Anxieties have been heightened by Washington's move to put on ice the major technology agreement, which was previously described as "a huge leap forward" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a failure to advance from the UK on addressing wider trade issues as the reason for the pause.

Furthermore, concessions secured for British farmers as part of an earlier tariff deal have yet to be formally approved by the US, despite a imminent January deadline. "We have been informed that that the US has not finalized the agreed beef export quotas," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Anxiety Behind Closed Doors

Behind the scenes, ministers have admitted unease that the government's deals with Washington are flimsy and unreliable. One minister described the series of agreements as "built on sand," while another characterized the situation as the "new normal" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "increased uncertainty and instability."

Layla Moran, a senior MP on the health committee, remarked: "The only thing more surprising than the US approach is the UK government's credulous faith that his administration is a trustworthy negotiator. The NHS is too precious to be gambled with."

Official Reassurances and Concrete Outcomes

Government figures have sought to reduce the risk of the US withdrawing from the pharmaceuticals deal. One source indicated the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been pushing for the agreement, wanting clarity on imports and pricing, making it of tangible value than the paused tech deal.

Officials admit that unpredictability is inherent in dealing with the current US leadership. However, they contend that the UK has secured concrete outcomes for businesses, such as preferential tariff rates compared to other nations. "The fact we have 25% steel tariffs, which is lower than the rate for the rest of the world, is a solid gain," one official said.

However, issues have surfaced in carrying out the broader trade deal. Promised reciprocal agricultural allowances have yet to be finalized, and the pledge to "eliminate duties on UK metals" has not been fulfilled, with tariffs fixed at 25%.

Looking ahead, the two sides have scheduled to restart talks on the paused tech prosperity deal in January, following what were described as "constructive" meetings between UK and US officials in Washington.