🔗 Share this article

Ministers and senior MPs have expressed alarm that the United Kingdom's recent agreements with the US administration are "lacking a solid foundation." This comes after revelations that a so-called "milestone" deal on medicines, which pledges zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS increasing its costs, lacks any detailed agreement beyond limited headline terms contained within government press releases.

A Deal Without Detail

The arrangement concerning medicines, hailed as a "landmark" achievement, remains an "broad understanding" without formal ratification. It has been highlighted that the official announcements from the UK and US governments present 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 promised concessions to raise drug prices in return for only a verbal promise from President Trump," commented David Henig, a trade expert. "History shows he has a tendency for not following through on agreements."

A Pattern of Unreliability

Worries have been intensified by Washington's recent decision to put on ice the £31bn "tech prosperity deal", which was previously described as "a generational step-change" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a insufficient movement from the UK on reducing other tariffs as the reason for the pause.

Additionally, concessions promised for British farmers as part of an May trade agreement have yet to be formally ratified by the US, despite a imminent January deadline. "Our understanding is that the US has failed to approve the reciprocal tariff rate quota," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Uncertainty Among Officials

Behind the scenes, ministers have admitted unease that the government's agreements with the US are lacking substance. One minister reportedly said the series of agreements as "built on sand," while another described the situation as the "current reality" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "increased uncertainty and instability."

Layla Moran, a senior MP on the health committee, stated: "What is even more astonishing than the administration's tactics is the UK government's naive belief that his administration is a reliable partner. The NHS is of vital importance."

Official Reassurances and Concrete Outcomes

Government figures have attempted to minimize the risk of the US backing out of the pharmaceuticals deal. One source indicated the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been advocating for the agreement, wanting clarity on imports and pricing, making it less abstract than the paused tech deal.

Officials acknowledge that instability is part and parcel of dealing with the current US leadership. However, they contend that the UK has achieved real benefits for businesses, such as lower steel tariffs compared to other nations. "Securing 25% steel tariffs, which is more favorable than the rate for the rest of the world, is not flimsy," one official said.

Yet, issues have surfaced in enacting the broader trade deal. Promised quotas on beef exports have yet to be finalized, and the pledge to "remove tariffs on British steel and aluminium" has remains unmet, 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.