Sir Kier Storm has held his first conversation with Donald Trump because the US president announced that tariffs on British imports into the US.
The two leaders discussed the “continuous and productive debate” about the British -US trade, “a spokesman for Downing Street said.
The couple also discussed the war in Ukraine, Iran and recent actions against the Houthis in Yemen.
“The prime minister again repeated his commitment to free and free trade and the importance of protecting national interests,” a spokesman said.
This is the first time that the two leaders have spoken out since Mr Trump unveiled a set of tariffs in countries earlier this month, in what he is known as the “Day of Freedom”.
This included a 10 % tariff for all British goods imported into the United States. The 25 percent of the car imports previously announced by Mr Trump also applies to the UK.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is scheduled to negotiate with the White House next week in an attempt to protest a business deal, which Britain hopes to help soften tariffs.
On Tuesday, Vice President JD VANCE said the United States is trying to finance a “big” trade deal with Britain and Mr Trump is “working very hard” about agreeing with Britain, which could reduce or remove import taxes.
However, Mr Trump said on Thursday that because of the income that his new tariffs would make, he is not “rushing” to make deals.
The US president said he had no “rush to” commercial strike and many countries wanted to reach “explicit … more than me”. Mr Trump added: “Any agreement” in a specific point “is made.
British officials are afraid of 10 % of the global tariff imposed by the US president can be a permanent feature under his government. But they hope that a trade deal will be able to lift or cut 25 % tariffs on steel, aluminum and car imports.
The initial tariffs on President Trump caused global economic concerns and the decline in the stock market.
The US president also suggested that he was set to visit the king in England in September.
There have been speculation that the United States may push Britain as part of the British trade negotiations.
The Chancellor said cutting relations with China would be “stupid” to move Mr Trump.
When traveling to Washington, Ms. Reeves will negotiate with US government officials to attend the International Monetary Fund Spring meetings.
The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bosent, will attend the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings, and British officials see him as one of their possible allies on a business strike.
“I will also talk to the US government while I’m there,” he said on Thursday.
“The main point for the British government is always in favor of the British national, and any transaction that can be guaranteed will always have British national interests.”
