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U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday, U.S. media reported, signaling a key step in post-Brexit trans-Atlantic relations.
Trump will present what he called a “major” trade deal with a “highly respected country” at a 10 a.m. (2 p.m. GMT) press conference in the Oval Office. The New York Times and Politico cited anonymous sources confirming the country is the U.K., though it remains uncertain whether the deal is final or a framework for further negotiation.
The announcement follows Trump’s imposition of sweeping tariffs on key U.S. trading partners last month, many of which were temporarily suspended to create room for bilateral negotiations. However, the U.K. continues to face a 10% baseline reciprocal tariff during this interim period, pending the outcome of ongoing talks.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will also deliver an update on the negotiations Thursday, Downing Street confirmed. His visit to Washington in February focused on tariffs and trade, and concluded with Trump calling him a “tough negotiator” and holding out the prospect of a “great” deal.
Starmer also extended an invitation for Trump to meet King Charles III in September, paving the way for a second UK state visit—an unprecedented honor.
The U.K. recently signed a major free-trade agreement with India—its most significant since leaving the European Union—and is seeking similar progress with the U.S. Trump, who has long admired the U.K. and its royal family, has strong personal ties to Britain through his Scottish-born mother and owns a golf course there.
On the other hand, the Bank of England is widely expected to cut interest rates on Thursday, amid concerns that U.S. tariffs may dampen global growth.
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