Trump is forcing Britain to a fundamental policy rethink

Pieter Cleppe | 23rd April 2025 | Comment, Policy & Think Tanks
Washington,–,Feb.,28,,2025:,President,Donald,Trump,Welcomes,Ukrainian

Brexit has enabled UK trade independence and divergence from EU regulation, especially in AI and climate policy. While Trump’s tariffs prompt a policy rethink, Labour’s green agenda faces internal resistance. Taxpayer-funded NGOs, often pushing degrowth, face criticism. Rising energy costs highlight the need to prioritize economic growth over restrictive policies.

Under Donald Trump’s original tariff plan, UK exports would only face half of the extra tariffs for exporting to the United States than exports from the European Union. It is a reminder that controlling one’s own destiny comes with benefits. With Trump moderating his stance on the EU, that “Brexit dividend” is not yet bearing fruit yet, but ultimately, it should be clear for friend and foe how important having control over one’s own trade policy is. The UK is now able to close its own deal with the United States, not having to depend on Brussels and other European governments. With Trump likely demanding more flexibility on the UK’s agricultural import regime, the UK government may now ultimately led consumer choice prevail over special interests keen to keep foreign competition out, and not just in agriculture.

Less in the headlines has been Keir Starmer’s recent anouncement to abandon the previous Conservative government’s policy towards Artificial Intelligence, which was focused on...

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