From the Times (), April 6:
The prime minister will say the economic upheaval from Trump’s tariffs shows the government must ‘move further and faster’ to boost growth
The prime minister will declare an end to globalisation and admit that it has failed millions of voters as the fallout from President Trump’s tariffs reverberates around the world.
In his first significant intervention since the United States imposed sweeping charges on imports, Sir Keir Starmer will say tomorrow that the seismic global economic effects prove the government must “move further and faster” to boost growth with supply-side reforms.
Later this week he and Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will make pro-growth announcements, including easing regulations on electric car manufacturers and bringing forward parts of the government’s industrial strategy.
Reeves is due to hold an “economic and financial dialogue” with India on Wednesday to try to hasten a trade deal. Efforts are also being made to secure a new agreement with Australia.
The prime minister will argue that tariffs are the wrong response, but will also say he understands Trump’s economic nationalism and why it is popular with voters who believe they have seen no benefits from free trade and mass immigration.
A Downing Street official said: “Trump has done something that we don’t agree with but there’s a reason why people are behind him on this. The world has changed, globalisation is over and we are now in a new era. We’ve got to demonstrate that our approach, a more active Labour government, a more reformist government, can provide the answers for people in every part of this country.”....
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He's a politician and a globalist to boot, so it's hard to tell if this is something he believes or something he believes to be expedient.
Here's PM Starmer's op-ed at the Telegraph April 5:
The world as we knew it has gone. Nobody wins from a trade war
My Government will champion the voice of British industry on the international stage
First it was defence and national security. Now it is the global economy and trade. Old assumptions can no longer be taken for granted. The world as we knew it has gone. We must rise to meet the moment.
We are ready for what comes next. The new world is less governed by established rules and more by deals and alliances. It demands the best of British virtues – cool heads, pragmatism and a clear understanding of our national interest.
Look how we’ve responded to Russian aggression in Ukraine. We have stood firm in our support for Ukraine. We’ve convened world leaders and worked with our international allies. And we’ve boosted our defence spending – the highest sustained increase since the Cold War – not just for the lasting peace of Ukraine, because it’s vital to the security of the UK. This investment will also bring a “defence dividend” with more, better paid jobs.
We know this approach works.
That is why on tariffs, the immediate priority is to keep calm and fight for the best deal. Nobody wins from a trade war. The economic consequences, here and across the globe, could be profound. We already have a balanced trading relationship with our American allies and work continues on a new economic prosperity deal.
Nonetheless, all options remain on the table.
I will only strike a deal if it is right for British business and the security of working people. And I will continue to make the case for free and open trade, because turning our back on that now would be a grave mistake....
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