Lib Dems demand Trump tariffs impact assessment

The Liberal Democrats have called on the government to release analysis of the potential impact of Donald Trump imposing trade tariffs on the UK economy.

Trump, who will be sworn in as US president on Monday, has threatened tariffs of up to 20% on global imports - and up to 60% on China's - in a reprise of a trade war conducted during his first 2017-2021 term.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has warned a second, broader round of Trump tariffs could lead to higher inflation and unemployment in the UK, and stressed the government has made extensive preparations.

The Lib Dems plan to use a parliamentary device to press for the publication of internal government assessments.

The party is to table a rarely-used "humble address" motion to demand ministers publish official analysis, via a symbolic message to the King.

The Lib Dems are pointing to a recent study suggesting 20% tariffs - or charges - on UK exports to the US could cost the British economy £22bn a year.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the public deserved to know the level of risk to the UK's economy, jobs and living standards, and called on the government to "come clean" now.

"Many families who are already struggling with the cost of living will be worried about what Trump's presidency and a potential trade war might mean for them..

"The least the British public deserve is for the government to be transparent about how Trump's tariffs might hit their pockets," he said.

Although unusual, the "humble address" procedural device has been used four times since 2017 to try to force the publication of official documents, particularly around Brexit, as successful motions are binding on the government.

On Thursday, Sir Ed called for a new UK-EU customs union, arguing it would strengthen the UK's negotiating position with the new Trump administration, while also boosting economic growth.

Last month, Trump ramped up the threat of tariffs against the EU, urging the bloc to buy US oil and gas, and posting: "Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!"

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has a tightrope to walk between the UK's US and EU relationships after Brexit, and has rejected the notion that the country must choose between closer ties with one or the other.