PMQs: Trump has “taken our lunch money” and is “coming back for more” as Lib Dems will force vote on Buy British today

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Ed Davey challenged the Prime Minister at PMQs today over what it would take to stop Trump “messing the UK around” after the US President threatened further tariffs on steel within weeks, and has urged party leaders to back his party in a Buy British vote today.

It comes as the Liberal Democrats will force a vote later today on the party’s Buy British campaign. The Lib Dems’ amendment to the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill would force the Government to create a Buy British campaign to back the country’s businesses and not take Trump’s tariffs lying down.

Davey has challenged all parties to back the amendment. It comes after Kemi Badenoch said that she “always” believes in Buying British. He also said that it was time for Nigel Farage to stop acting like one of “Donald Trump’s lapdogs” and instead back British businesses. Rachel Reeves has previously criticised the idea of a Buy British campaign as “inward looking”.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Donald Trump has taken our lunch money and is now coming back for more. Any deal he signs is already halfway through the Oval Office shredder.

“It is time for the Government to admit that Trump’s White House is not a reliable ally and get tough on ending this trade war by backing British businesses. That means working with our Commonwealth and European allies to create an economic coalition of the willing to stand up to Trump and voting for our Buy British amendment today.

“It is also time for Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage to stop acting like Donald Trump’s lapdogs and stand up for our fantastic local businesses instead of this US administration's attempts to pummel them with tariffs.

“Now is the moment for all parties to walk the walk by going with us through the voting lobby and back our Buy British campaign later today.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Text of Ed Davey’s question to the Prime Minister:

Can I recognise the Prime Minister’s efforts in pulling out all the stops to avoid President Trump’s damaging tariffs?

A letter from the King, offering to water down online safety laws, even trying to send the Open to one of his golf courses. The Prime Minister thought he'd secured 0% tariffs on British steel.

But now Trump is threatening us with 50% unless we comply with his new five-week deadline.This is classic Trump – changing the terms of a deal he’s already signed.

Does the Prime Minister share my fear that nothing will stop Trump messing the UK around like this – short of popping a few hundred million pounds into his TrumpCoin?

The text of the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Product Regulation and Metrology bill is below and can be found here (NC 4).

Reporting on Donald Trump’s latest changes to steel tariffs can be found here.

Kemi Badenoch’s Buy British comments can be found here.

Rachel Reeves’ Buy British comments can be found here.