Trump doesn't rule out revoking UK-US trade deal; UK PM: I will not yield
Unhappy with the UK's lack of support for the war against Iran, US President Trump threatened to tear up the US-UK trade deal. In response, UK PM Keir Starmer emphasized that the UK will not be drawn into the war and will not yield to pressure.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 00:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 00:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 05:28 (76h 56m after Collected)
Major Iran War News
Central News Agency
(CNA Correspondent Chen Yun-yu, London, 15th) Unhappy that the British government did not actively support the war against Iran, US President Donald Trump told British media that he gave the UK a "very good" trade deal, and although he didn't have to offer such good terms, this situation "can always change."
Ed Davey, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, brought this up to Prime Minister Keir Starmer during "Prime Minister's Questions" in the House of Commons today, saying Trump threatened to tear up the trade deal reached between the UK and the US in May last year to "punish" the UK for not joining the war against Iran.
Davey said the UK should see Trump's remarks as the "last straw," and that the UK Prime Minister should not let the King meet with such a person. Trump's treatment of the UK is like "a mafia boss extorting protection money."
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to make a state visit to the US from the 27th to the 30th. Shortly after taking office in late January last year, Trump launched a global tariff war, and the UK subsequently became the first to reach a trade agreement with the US in May. However, the traditionally exceptionally close US-UK relationship has recently become tense due to the Middle East war.
Trump mentioned the US-UK trade deal during a phone interview with the US-based correspondent of the UK television network "Sky News" on the evening of the 14th EST. Some Washington-based reporters have Trump's cell phone number. In his second term, Trump has spontaneously accepted unscheduled phone interviews several times, including the one with the UK's "Sky News" on the 14th.
Starmer responded to Davey in Parliament today, stating that his position on the Iran war has always been clear: the UK will not be dragged into this war. "This is not our war."
Starmer emphasized that despite facing immense pressure recently to change policy direction, "including what happened last night" (referring to Trump's interview), he will not change his mind and will not yield.
Starmer reiterated that joining this war is not in the UK's national interest, and the UK will not join. "I know exactly what I am doing."
Regarding King Charles III's visit to the US, Starmer reiterated that the King's visit is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and the British monarch is an important reminder that the ties between the UK and the US go way back and the bilateral relationship endures. This is far more important than who occupies what position at what time.
However, although the British government has traditionally avoided directly criticizing the US, senior British officials have become increasingly "outspoken" recently when commenting on Trump's actions.
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves made it explicitly clear for the first time during a media interview on the 1st that she was "angry" about Trump starting a war in the Middle East.
She then told the UK's "The Mirror" on the 14th that while no sane person supports the Iranian regime, launching a conflict without clear operational goals and an exit strategy is "a folly," and such "folly" affects not only the UK and the US but families around the world.
On the other hand, the UK Conservative Party, traditionally closer to the US ruling Republican Party on the political spectrum, has also seen its leader Kemi Badenoch recently highlight more than ever the differences between herself, her party, and Trump. The Conservative Party is currently the largest opposition party in the UK Parliament.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 on the 14th, Badenoch said regarding US-UK relations that the UK needs to put Trump aside for a moment and face the global situation and the UK's own position directly.
Badenoch said if Trump makes sense, the UK should agree; otherwise, it should disagree. For example, Trump's assertions that the UK should increase defense spending and review energy supply sources make sense. However, making "childish" comments, issuing empty threats regarding Greenland, and some of his remarks related to Iran are mistakes Trump has made.
Badenoch emphasized that the UK must be able to say no when others make mistakes and say yes when they do right, rather than blindly following or refusing to listen to others forever due to political ideology. (Editor: Yang Chao-yen) 1150415
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Central News Agency
(CNA Correspondent Chen Yun-yu, London, 15th) Unhappy that the British government did not actively support the war against Iran, US President Donald Trump told British media that he gave the UK a "very good" trade deal, and although he didn't have to offer such good terms, this situation "can always change."
Ed Davey, leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, brought this up to Prime Minister Keir Starmer during "Prime Minister's Questions" in the House of Commons today, saying Trump threatened to tear up the trade deal reached between the UK and the US in May last year to "punish" the UK for not joining the war against Iran.
Davey said the UK should see Trump's remarks as the "last straw," and that the UK Prime Minister should not let the King meet with such a person. Trump's treatment of the UK is like "a mafia boss extorting protection money."
King Charles III and Queen Camilla are scheduled to make a state visit to the US from the 27th to the 30th. Shortly after taking office in late January last year, Trump launched a global tariff war, and the UK subsequently became the first to reach a trade agreement with the US in May. However, the traditionally exceptionally close US-UK relationship has recently become tense due to the Middle East war.
Trump mentioned the US-UK trade deal during a phone interview with the US-based correspondent of the UK television network "Sky News" on the evening of the 14th EST. Some Washington-based reporters have Trump's cell phone number. In his second term, Trump has spontaneously accepted unscheduled phone interviews several times, including the one with the UK's "Sky News" on the 14th.
Starmer responded to Davey in Parliament today, stating that his position on the Iran war has always been clear: the UK will not be dragged into this war. "This is not our war."
Starmer emphasized that despite facing immense pressure recently to change policy direction, "including what happened last night" (referring to Trump's interview), he will not change his mind and will not yield.
Starmer reiterated that joining this war is not in the UK's national interest, and the UK will not join. "I know exactly what I am doing."
Regarding King Charles III's visit to the US, Starmer reiterated that the King's visit is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and the British monarch is an important reminder that the ties between the UK and the US go way back and the bilateral relationship endures. This is far more important than who occupies what position at what time.
However, although the British government has traditionally avoided directly criticizing the US, senior British officials have become increasingly "outspoken" recently when commenting on Trump's actions.
British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves made it explicitly clear for the first time during a media interview on the 1st that she was "angry" about Trump starting a war in the Middle East.
She then told the UK's "The Mirror" on the 14th that while no sane person supports the Iranian regime, launching a conflict without clear operational goals and an exit strategy is "a folly," and such "folly" affects not only the UK and the US but families around the world.
On the other hand, the UK Conservative Party, traditionally closer to the US ruling Republican Party on the political spectrum, has also seen its leader Kemi Badenoch recently highlight more than ever the differences between herself, her party, and Trump. The Conservative Party is currently the largest opposition party in the UK Parliament.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5 on the 14th, Badenoch said regarding US-UK relations that the UK needs to put Trump aside for a moment and face the global situation and the UK's own position directly.
Badenoch said if Trump makes sense, the UK should agree; otherwise, it should disagree. For example, Trump's assertions that the UK should increase defense spending and review energy supply sources make sense. However, making "childish" comments, issuing empty threats regarding Greenland, and some of his remarks related to Iran are mistakes Trump has made.
Badenoch emphasized that the UK must be able to say no when others make mistakes and say yes when they do right, rather than blindly following or refusing to listen to others forever due to political ideology. (Editor: Yang Chao-yen) 1150415
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Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly
The text, images and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.