Sir Keir Starmer has responded to Donald Trump’s threats of an international trade war as he addressed EU leaders in Brussels.
The prime minister downplayed the US president’s threats to impose tariffs on the EU and UK, which caused EU and US stock markets to tumble on Monday.
“On the question firstly of tariffs, obviously, it’s early days and I think what’s really important is open and strong trading relations,” Sir Keir said during a press conference with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“That’s been the basis of my discussions with President Trump and I know that intense US-EU discussions are planned.”
Mr Rutte also did not seem worried that Mr Trump’s discontent with Nato allies would impact the group’s collective deterrence.
Earlier, Mr Trump hinted that Britain may avoid new US tariffs and told the BBC: “UK is out of line but I’m sure that one… I think that one can be worked out.”
Mr Trump also said discussions with Sir Keir Starmer have “been very nice”, adding: “We’ve had a couple of meetings. We’ve had numerous phone calls. We’re getting along very well.”
Key Points
- No 10 responds to Trump's comments about UK
- Starmer addresses Trump fallout during address to EU chiefs
- Pound rises against euro after Trump hints UK may avoid tariffs
- New Ofsted report cards met by fierce backlash
- Trump warns of EU tariffs 'soon' but hints US and UK could make a deal
Nato Secretary General says Trump's Greenland comments 'useful'
17:21
,
Athena Stavrou
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has said it is “useful” that Donald Trump “alerted us to the fact that when it comes to the high north there is a geopolitical and strategic issue at stake”.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels alongside Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Rutte was asked about the dispute over Greenland.
Mr Rutte said: “What I think is very useful is that President Trump alerted us to the fact that when it comes to the high north there is a geopolitical and strategic issue at stake.
“I would say that is not only about Greenland, this has to do with Finland, it has to do with Sweden, Norway, Iceland, yes, Greenland and therefore Denmark. Also Canada and also the US.
“Clearly, collectively as an alliance, we will always look at the best way to make sure that we can tackle those challenges.”
Pictured: Starmer speaking at a press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
16:58
,
Athena Stavrou
Analysis: Starmer denies the UK has to choose between the EU and the US
16:45
,
Kate Devlin
Keir Starmer is stuck in the middle – a place he never wanted to be.
But the prime minister has insisted that the UK does not have to choose between the US and the EU – despite Trump’s threat of a trade war.
At a Nato press conference in Brussels just now the Labour leader insisted it was “really important we work with both”.
US President Donald Trump has warned the EU could be next to face tariffs, saying it could happen "pretty soon".
The next UK ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson has also insisted there is no need for the UK to change sides.
Despite his protestations, Sir Keir is expected to face heavy pressure on this issue – potentially for the four years of Trump’s presidency.
UK's commitment to Nato 'stronger than ever'
16:23
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK’s commitment to Nato is “stronger than ever” because the need for Nato is stronger than ever.
The Prime Minister said he had “very productive discussions” on Monday about how to ensure European security.
He said: “We must do all that we can to support Ukraine.
“President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it’s clear that that’s got Putin rattled. We know that he’s worried about the state of the Russian economy.”
Nato secretary general 'convinced' tensions between allies won't affect defence
16:21
,
Athena Stavrou
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has said he is “absolutely convinced” tensions between the US, Canada and the EU won’t affect the group’s defence.
In recent days, US president Trump has publicly criticised Nato allies and imposed tariffs on his neighbour Canada and has said he will impose more on the EU soon.
UK praised as 'firm friend' to Ukraine
16:18
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has described the UK as a “firm friend” to Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Sir Keir Starmer in Brussels, Mr Rutte said: “UK is also a firm friend to Ukraine, you have provided billions in military and humanitarian aid, vital training and landmark security guarantees.
“Going forward we must not only sustain but continue to step up our support so that when the time comes Ukraine can sit at a negotiating table in a position of strength and pursue a good deal for lasting peace.”
Starmer comments on Trump tariff plans
16:16
,
Athena Stavrou
Starmer has said he has discussed strong trading relations with president Trump.
The prime minister did not seem concerned when asked about the US president’s comments recently on new tariffs being imposed on the EU.
Starmer told a press conference in Brussels: “It’s early days and I think what’s really important is opening strong trading relations and that’s been the basis of my discussions with president Trump.
“I know intense US EU discussions are planned.”
Starmer begins speech in Brussels
16:11
Starmer has begun his address to EU leaders in Brussels.
The prime minister met with the secretary general of Nato earlier, and is now holding a joint press conference with him.
He has begun with pledging to give more military support to Ukraine than ever before.
He urged Nato members to step up their support for Ukraine and bear down on Russia as its economy falters.
Starmer begins press conference with secretary general of Nato
16:06
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer has begun his joint press conference with the secretary general of Nato, Mark Rutte, at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
Mr Rutte has begun his statement, which will be followed by the UK prime minister’s own address.
He started by praising the UK’s contribution to Nato.
Starmer to address EU leaders shortly
16:00
,
Athena Stavrou
The prime minister is about to address EU leaders in Brussels after meetings with the NATO secretary general.
He will be the first prime minister to meet all leaders of the 27 EU nations since Brexit, in what is said to be a step in re-setting relations.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to urge leaders bear down on Russian President Vladimir Putin and call for EU countries to shoulder more of the burden of aid for Ukraine at the meeting in Belgium.
He will call on them to follow UK and US sanctions on Russia’s faltering economy and praise Mr Trump’s threat of further restrictions, which he will claim has “rattled” President Putin.
Government has ‘no intention’ of banning cats, says Swinney
15:44
,
Athena Stavrou
John Swinney has knocked down reports the Scottish Government is considering banning cats.
Reports emerged over the weekend of a report from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) – a group of independent experts – which recommended the Scottish Government look at potentially instituting containment areas for cats to protect local wildlife.
Such zones could include a prohibition on cat ownership in rural areas to protect endangered species.
But speaking to broadcasters on Monday, the First Minister rejected assertions it would be an effective ban on owning cats.
“There’s a report being produced by an external organisation which has come in to the Government for consideration,” he said.
“Let me just clear this up today – the Government’s not going to be banning cats or restricting cats.
“We’ve no intention of doing so and we will not be doing it.”
15:26
,
Athena Stavrou
Starmer is holding talks with the secretary general of NATO, Mark Rutte, at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
They will hold a joint press conference later, where they are expected to to focus on defence and aid for Ukraine.
However, Donald Trumps recent comments about US-EU relations has threatened to shift the focus of Starmer’s meeting with European leaders.
Government 'doesn't know' how many pensioners awaiting winter fuel payment, says shadow minister
15:21
,
Athena Stavrou
The Government “doesn’t know” how many pensioners are waiting for their winter fuel payment, shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately has said.
She asked in the Commons: “How many people are still waiting for their winter fuel payment?”
Work and pensions minister Torsten Bell replied: “Everybody who made their claim for pension credit before the 21st of December will receive their winter fuel payment when that claim is processed.”
Ms Whately said: “The answer is he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know how many people are waiting for their winter fuel payment. He doesn’t know how many people are stuck in the pension credit backlog. He doesn’t know when they’ll hear.”
Live: Starmer urges Nato leaders to step up support for Ukraine
14:57
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer is about to begin his address in Brussels, in which will place security and defence at the heart of his post-Brexit reset with the EU.
The prime minister will call on leaders to stand together and double down on their support for Ukraine.
Watch live here:
US stocks plummet at opening on Monday
14:47
,
Athena Stavrou
The US stock market has dropped at the opening bell on Monday after Donald Trump imposed a series of tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China over the weekend.
The benchmark S&P 500 dropped 1.5 per cent as Wall Street opened.
It comes after both European and UK markets also took hits after the US president threatened to impose further tariffs.
Controlling or coercive behaviour now on a par with other domestic abuse crimes
14:33
,
Athena Stavrou
Coercive or controlling behaviour has been placed “on a par” with other domestic abuse offences as part of a new law aiming to tackle the issue.
Abusers who are convicted of such behaviour and sentenced to 12 months or longer in jail will be automatically managed by police and probation in a change which took effect on Monday.
Previously, management of such offenders under the multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa) was discretionary.
The Ministry of Justice said the change, as part of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, means controlling or coercive behaviour is seen in the same way as other domestic abuse offences including threats to kill, attempted strangulation and stalking.
Women’s Aid welcomed the change, describing coercive control as “a key tool used by perpetrators of domestic abuse, as it isolates survivors and makes them dependent on an abuser”.
Pound rises against euro after Trump hints UK may avoid tariffs
14:22
Sterling slid against the dollar but rose against the euro on Monday, after Trump suggested trade issues with Britain could be “worked out”.
Stocks tumbled across the UK and Europe on Monday after the US president said the EU would be facing a wave of tariffs soon.
But it seems the UK’s stock was somewhat steadied by Trump’s suggestion that Britain could avoid being slapped with new tariffs.
The pound declined by 0.66 per cent against the dollar to $1.23135 , but was up nearly 0.5 per cent against the euro at 83.225 pence.
The FTSE 100 in London was down 1.2 per cent, but its losses were lower than 1.7 per cent in Paris and Frankfurt’s major stock indexes.
Parents have responsibilities to make sure children in school, says Phillipson
13:59
,
Athena Stavrou
Parents “all have responsibilities” to make sure their children are going to school, Bridget Phillipson has said, as she warned about the risk of damaging children’s life chances.
The Education Secretary said there has been a “casual kind of attitude increasingly emerging” on school attendance, and warned parents that a decision to not send a child to school impacts “the education of all children in that class”.
Figures from the start of this year suggested that the number of children off during the first week of term was up on last year’s data.
Ms Phillipson said there had been a “big drop off” in attendance rates since the pandemic, and added: “Parents have responsibilities to make sure that they’re sending their children to school.”
She went on to acknowledge that many children are struggling with their mental health and that the government are investing in more support services.
No 10 responds to damning claims made in new book about Starmer
13:50
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson has responded to quotes featured in a new book about his rise to power as leader of the Labour party.
A series of damning claims have been detailed in Get In, which is being serialised in The Times.
It quotes Labour insiders who said Sir Keir was “not driving the train” or was seen as a HR manager by colleagues.
When asked about the reports on Monday, his spokesperson said the prime minister was “focused on delivering on the plan for change, priorities of the British people”.
He added: “This government was elected on a mandate to change the country and put the people's priorities at the heart of delivering. That's why the Prime Minister is focused on getting on with the job.”
No 10 says trade with US ‘fair and balanced’ after Trump says UK ‘out of line’
13:36
,
Athena Stavrou
The UK’s trading relationship with the US is “fair and balanced”, Downing Street insisted after Donald Trump said that the UK was “out of line”.
The Prime Minister trusts Mr Trump to keep his word, No 10 said after the US president suggested he thinks a deal can be “worked out” to avoid slapping tariffs on the UK.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked if Sir Keir believes he can trust Mr Trump to keep his word.
“Yes, the Prime Minister has had a really constructive early set of conversations with President Trump, and looks forward to working with him to deepen our trade, investment, security and defence relationship,” he said.
Assisted dying Bill has been a long time coming, says MSP behind legislation
13:25
,
Athena Stavrou
The voices of terminally ill Scots “must be heard loud and clear” as Holyrood considers legislation that would permit assisted dying, the MSP spearheading the bid to change the law has said.
Liam McArthur has brought forward a member’s Bill at Holyrood which, if passed, would allow adults living in Scotland who are suffering from a terminal illness to seek help to end their life.
It is the third time the Scottish Parliament has considered a bid to legalise assisted dying – with two previous attempts to change the law rejected by MSPs.
But Mr McArthur, who will give evidence to members of Holyrood’s health Committee on Tuesday as they scrutinise his Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, said the change has been “a long time coming”.
What does the UK trade with the United States?
13:18
,
Holly Evans
The United States is one of the UK’s major trading partners, accounting for nearly a quarter of exports of chemicals and almost a third of crude oil imports.
Here we looks at how much trade the UK has with the US, based on figures published by the Office for National Statistics.
Read the full article here:
King welcomes Tory leader Kemi Badenoch to palace in revival of royal convention
13:04
,
Holly Evans
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has held a one-to-one audience with the King – reviving an old convention of the monarch meeting with the new leader of the Opposition.
Charles welcomed Mrs Badenoch in the grand 1844 Room of Buckingham Palace on Monday morning.
Mrs Badenoch, who was elected Tory leader in November, was pictured grinning as the smiling King gestured and held his arms out wide at the start of their half-hour meeting.
She is said to be the first opposition leader to have a formal one-to-one audience with a monarch in 19 years.
A royal source said: “It was a convention that fell by the way in latter years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s reign and seemed a courtesy to revive in the new reign.”
It is not known why the tradition lapsed during Labour’s years in opposition.
Starmer trusts Trump as No10 spokesman says US is 'indispensable ally'
12:17
,
Holly Evans
Sir Keir Starmer trusts Donald Trump, Downing Street said after the US president suggested he thinks a deal can be done with Britain to avoid imposing tariffs.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman was asked if Sir Keir believes he can trust the US president to keep his word.
“Yes, the Prime Minister has had a really constructive early set of conversations with president Trump, and looks forward to working with him to deepen our trade, investment, security and defence relationship,” he said.
The US is an “indispensible ally” to the UK, he added.
“We’ve got a fair and balanced trading relationship which benefits both sides of the Atlantic.
“It’s worth around £300 billion and we are each other’s single largest investors, with £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s economies,” he said.
Bridget Phillipson defends new schools inspections
12:10
,
Kate Devlin
A defiant education secretary has defended new plans to change inspections after they were criticised by the sister of a headteacher who took her own life when her school was downgraded.
Bridget Phillipson said she was “delighted to see the debate raging over our reforms… (it’s a) sign that under this government education is coming back to the centre of national debate”.
Ofsted wants to replace the single-word judgments that were slammed after the tragedy of what happened to headteacher Ruth Perry.
But her sister has said she is worried the new proposals are a "rehash" of the "dangerous" system they are supposed to replace.
Kay Burley accuses Richard Tice of 'talking rubbish' in heated clash
11:59
,
Holly Evans
EU leaders respond to Trump's tariff threat
11:46
,
Holly Evans
Various EU leaders have responded to President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs on the bloc, after he imposed the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China over the weekend.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said ahead of an informal EU leaders meeting in Brussels that the European Union was strong enough to react to any US tariffs but "the goal should be that things result in cooperation”.
Conservative opposition leader and chancellor hopeful Friedrich Merz said that Trump would realise the tariffs he imposes "will not have to be paid by those who import into America. Instead, they will have to be paid for by consumers in America."
Meanwhile, Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said Europe should negotiate with Trump on trade.
"The most important issue that we all need to understand is that Russia is a threat, a real threat, this is not an opinion this is a fact," he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said if Europe is attacked on commercial interests, it will have to make itself respected.
Trump's recent statement were pushing "the EU to be more united and more active to respond to issues of collective security," he said.
What are Trump's tariffs and who will be hit next?
11:28
,
Holly Evans
Donald Trump has delivered on his pledge to introduce new trade tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China in a move that has caused panic for financial markets across the world.
The tariffs are set to come into force on Tuesday after the new US president signed a trio of executive orders. He claimed the measures are designed to stop the flow of drugs and immigrants from the country’s two closest neighbours, Canada and Mexico.
Chinese goods will also see a new tariff placed on them, with Mr Trump hinting more countries across the world could make the list in the near future.
Read the full article here:
Tackling pupil absences to form part of education overhaul
11:17
,
Holly Evans
The Education Secretary said that tackling pupil absences from school is not something the Government can do alone.
“That’s not something that we as Government can tackle alone, although there’s a lot that we’re doing,” Bridget Phillipson said.
“It’s about that partnership between government, schools and families, and after the pandemic, that increasing fracturing that we’ve seen, that’s why it’s been so important that we’ve reset that relationship between government and schools and with the workforce too.
“But in terms of what we’re doing at the moment, we’re investing more in mentoring and attendance support, working with schools that are not delivering what they should to drive up attendance rates.”
Polish PM Tusk says attempts to wage trade wars are a mistake
11:08
,
Holly Evans
Any attempts at waging trade wars are a complete mistake, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday, after US President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he would impose hefty new tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China.
"Poland will for sure be a country that encourages common sense and caution. But we also have to say clearly that any plans to introduce customs and (wage) trade wars are a complete mistake," he told journalists.
"I hope that such a firm, clear, friendly, but tough European position will get across to the American administration."
EU leaders are meeting on Monday, bracing for the possibility that they too will face punishing US trade levies.
"We must be unquestionably united. It is worth doing everything possible to ensure that in the face of a Russian threat or Chinese expansion, we do not fight between allies," Tusk told reporters before leaving for Brussels.
Factory activity falls again as rising costs and weak demand hit manufacturers
10:59
,
Holly Evans
In a further blow to UK stock markets, the British factory output continued falling in January, as manufacturers reported that cost inflation had hit a two-year high.
The S&P Global UK manufacturing PMI survey, watched closely by economists, recorded a reading of 48.3 last month, from 47 in December.
Any reading above 50 indicates that activity is growing while any score below means it is contracting.
New orders and jobs continued to fall across the board, as firms warned that a weak economic outlook in the UK was hitting small factories hardest.
Companies pointed to rising input costs combined with tax increases announced at the October budget as extra pressures facing them.
Rob Dobson, director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which carried out the survey, said while the rising costs were hitting small producers hardest, big companies “fared better, seeing output and new orders recover during January”.
“There nevertheless seems little scope for any imminent improvement in performance across the board,” he added, pointing to poor demand both in the UK and abroad.
He added that increases to the minimum wage and employer national insurance contributions would continue to hit firms, with both policies coming into effect in April.
Department for Education will intervene 'swiftly' in low-performing schools
10:49
,
Holly Evans
The Education Secretary has said the Government will “intervene swiftly” with schools with the most serious issues.
In a statement, Bridget Phillipson said the Department for Education (DfE) is consulting on new arrangements for intervention in state schools – including its plans for regional improvement for standards and excellence (Rise) teams.
The proposals will include how the DfE will identify schools for mandatory targeted Rise interventions and the circumstances “where we would change the organisation that governs a school”, the Education Secretary said.
Ms Phillipson said the plans will entail the DfE mandating intervention in “approximately twice as many schools per year”.
She added: “We will structurally intervene swiftly with schools with the most serious issues but will also broaden our approach to tackling failure, providing bespoke, intensive and timely intervention, to the different challenges identified in Ofsted report cards. Our approach will additionally help to spread best practice and foster a self-improving school system which our new Rise teams will act as a catalyst to help drive.”
She added that “supporting all schools to improve pupil attendance will be the first national priority” for the Rise support service.
Phillipson warned 'austerity' will undermine school standards drive
10:42
,
Holly Evans
Bridget Phillipson has been warned her drive to improve school standards will fail if the government pursues an austerity agenda.
Amid warnings the chancellor will have to make brutal cuts in her upcoming spending review, the National Education Union warned: "Quite simply you cannot have an improving school system whilst you are implementing austerity."
In a damning verdict on the education secretary's plans, NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: ""The Secretary of State is talking today about urging the education system to achieve more. At the same time, this Government is gearing up to make cuts to education, and to the other services which students need to remove barriers to their learning."
He also lashed out at the overhaul of Ofsted inspections, adding: "Pigs don’t get fatter as a result of weighing them more often. It’s not inspection that delivers excellence - it's well supported, experienced leaders and education professionals - and it is investment. It's a motivated, well valued workforce with great CPD.
"Using negative, pejorative terms like ‘stuck schools’ is unhelpful and counter-productive. Collaboration and not ranking is what builds a good local school for every child."
£100,000 to be allocated per school to drive up poor Ofsted judgements
10:37
,
Holly Evans
Too many schools are “coasting” to deliver education, the Education Secretary said.
Bridget Phillipson said 600 schools are “stuck receiving consecutive poor Ofsted judgments”.
New teams of experts will drive up standards with up to £100,000 allocated per school, she said.
“Good” as a judgement has become “too vague” to serve its purpose, she said.
FTSE 100 tumbles after Trump's tariff warning
10:30
,
Holly Evans
London’s FTSE 100 Index tumbled more than 1 percent on opening after US President Donald Trump announced a wave of tariffs and warned the European Union would be next.
A graph from the London Stock Exchange shows the blue chip share index fell 105.8 points to 8568.2 – a fall of 1.2 percent – soon after the London market began trading at 8am.
Mr Trump said tariffs on imports from Europe were coming and did not rule out imposing tariffs on UK goods, but reportedly said the situation with Britain “can be worked out”.
Education secretary says changes are 'critical'
10:26
,
Holly Evans
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the school system should focus on “need” and “not diagnosis” as she set out plans to overhaul the way Ofsted inspects schools.
The changes are “critical” for all children, she said, but “nowhere are they more important” than for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
Read the full story: New Ofsted report cards met by fierce backlash
10:24
,
Holly Evans
Bridget Phillipson’s new proposals for Ofsted are facing backlash for being “worse than the system currently in place”, as Labour replaces single-word judgements for schools with detailed report cards.
In a major speech on Monday, the education secretary will vow to raise expectations of school leaders, with Ofsted’s new school inspections “shining a light on all the areas that matter, giving each their own grade”.
Labour vowed in opposition to revamp the current Ofsted grading system following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023.
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Bridget Phillipson to respond criticism from Ruth Perry’s sister
10:02
,
Kate Devlin
The education secretary Bridget Phillipson is due to give a speech imminently which is expected to address criticism of Labour’s new plans for school inspections.
Ofsted wants to replace the single-word judgments that were slammed after headteacher Ruth Perry took her own life, after her school was downgraded.
Her sister has now said she is worried the new proposals are a "rehash" of the "dangerous" system they are supposed to replace.
Nigel Farage accuses Starmer of looking to 'surrender' Brexit freedoms
09:51
,
Holly Evans
Nigel Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of seeking to “surrender” the UK’s Brexit freedoms ahead of his visit to Brussels to meet with EU leaders.
Taking to social media, the Reform UK leader said: “Keir Starmer heads to Brussels to ‘reset’ our relationship with the EU. He must use our Brexit freedoms, not surrender them.”
The prime minister has repeatedly spoken of a post-Brexit “reset” and has established warm relations with several of its leaders, as he seeks closer ties with the bloc in a number of areas, including trade, defence and security.
Keir Starmer heads to Brussels to ‘reset’ our relationship with the EU. He must use our Brexit freedoms, not surrender them.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) February 3, 2025
Head of Ofsted says new proposal 'will not please everyone'
09:37
,
Holly Evans
HM Chief Inspector of Education Sir Martyn Oliver said Ofsted’s new report card system will not please everyone, but stressed “our priority is for children”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Ofsted exists to report to parents.
“I know that not everyone is going to be happy with any form of judgment or grade and that type of approach.
“But our priority is for children and for learners and having clarity and accountability – we undertook the largest survey in Ofsted’s history last year and parents were really clear.
“They thought the single word summary judgment – one word or two words to describe an entire setting – just didn’t work for them, but they were very, very clear … that ‘we do want clarity, we want to know how our school or our nursery is performing’.”
He added: “It’s not about us doing more, it’s about us being more precise.”
Carmakers take biggest hit after Trump signals EU tariffs
09:30
,
Holly Evans
Carmakers are the biggest share casualties so far in Europe after Trump’s weekend wave of tariffs, with Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Daimler Truck, Continental and Porsche dropping by around 5 percent in early trading across Europe.
Firms such as Volkswagen and Vauxhall owner Stellantis have operations in Mexico and are therefore exposed to the Mr Trump’s tariffs, while cars are also among the US president’s major gripes with the trade deficit that the US has with the EU.
Cars are among the biggest European exports to the US,
