News
Trump to announce trade deal with UK
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Donald-Trump-Declares.jpg&description=Trump to announce trade deal with UK', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Donald-Trump-Declares.jpg&description=Trump to announce trade deal with UK', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
By Francesca Hangeior
The United States and Britain were reportedly set to announce a trade agreement on Thursday that could have implications for President Donald Trump’s tariffs assault, but the scope of the deal could be limited.
The New York Times and Politico reported that the agreement would be with the UK, citing multiple people familiar with the plans, while the Wall Street Journal said it would be a “framework” of a deal.
It would be the first such trade agreement since Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on US trading partners on what he called “Liberation Day” on April 2.
The president slapped 10 percent tariffs on imports from around the world, including Britain, but he temporarily froze higher duties on dozens of nations to give space for negotiations.
Trump on Wednesday wrote that a “major trade deal” would be announced with a “big, and highly respected country”.
However, media and analysts said it was unclear whether a US deal with Britain had been finalised or if the two countries would announce a framework for an agreement that would be subject to further negotiation.
Trump is set to announce the “deal” at a 10:00 am (1400 GMT) news conference in the Oval Office at the White House, and touted it as the “first of many”.
In London, Downing Street said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will give an “update” on trade talks with the United States on Thursday.
“Talks on a deal between our countries have been continuing at pace and the prime minister will update later today,” a spokeswoman said.
Starmer, who like Trump won power last year, had pushed for a trade deal before the president unleashed his tariffs blitz on Britain and countries worldwide.
Reaching a post-Brexit agreement with the United States has been the Holy Grail for Britain since it exited the European Union at the start of the decade.
London is keen to get some kind of accord with Washington, ahead of a EU-UK summit on May 19 due to reset ties with the 27-nation bloc.
A US-UK deal could prove problematic for the EU which is struggling to reach an acceptable trade deal of its own with the United States.
Britain this week struck a free-trade agreement with India, its biggest such deal since leaving the EU, after negotiations relaunched in February following US tariff threats.
The EU remains Britain’s biggest trading partner, while the United States is the UK’s single largest country trading partner.
Trump has for weeks claimed that countries were lining up to strike trade agreements with the United States.
Reports have suggested that Washington may reduce certain tariffs on British products in exchange for relief from the UK’s digital services tax paid by US tech giants.
London had not retaliated against the Trump’s 10-percent tariff imposed on UK imports, nor to the higher 25-percent levies for steel, aluminium and the automotive sector.
“Any deal with the US is likely to be damage limitation rather than an economic boost,” Jonathan Portes, professor of economics at King’s College London, told AFP.
“That is, it is likely to limit the Trump tariffs, but … exporters will probably still be facing higher tariffs overall than they were last year.”
Deutsche Bank analyst Jim Reid said “given that full trade deals take years to negotiate, this will likely be a framework and it will be interesting to see whether the 10-percent baseline tariff stays as that will provide an important template for negotiations with other countries”.
The Bank of England is widely expected to cut its key interest rate by a quarter point Thursday as Trump’s planned tariffs threaten to weaken global economic growth.
Starmer visited Washington at the end of February in part to discuss tariffs and came away hopeful that a long-awaited accord could be reached.
Trump at the time held out the prospect of a “great” deal, hailing Starmer as a tough negotiator.
Starmer, during his visit, handed Trump an invitation to meet King Charles III for an unprecedented second state visit that London hopes will boost transatlantic ties.
The 78-year-old Republican has long been a vocal fan of the British royal family.
He also has a close affinity to the UK as his mother was born in Scotland, where he owns a golf course.
A presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has said he would not attend the announcement of the party’s presidential primary election results, citing allegations of widespread vote rigging.
In a statement on his X handle on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen expressed concern over reports of electoral irregularities from across the country.
The ADC aspirant noted that he witnessed some of the incidents.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” the statement read.
The development comes amid keen competition for the ADC presidential ticket involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen.
The ADC presidential primary election collation exercise will take place in Abuja. Results are expected from across the nation.
Ahead of the nationwide presidential primary held on Monday, the ADC had urged aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the exercise as a defining moment for both the ADC and Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative.
According to him, the party remained committed to internal democracy and a transparent leadership selection process.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” Abdullahi stated.
The party also stressed that the conduct of aspirants and party members during the exercise would reflect the leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote.
Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken an early lead in the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress, securing victories in five states as delegates across the country vote to determine the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
The contest, which has attracted national attention ahead of the next electoral cycle, is being contested by Atiku, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Although the party’s national leadership is yet to formally announce the final collated results from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, figures obtained across some states showed Atiku maintaining a commanding lead in the early rounds of counting.
The former vice president reportedly won in Gombe, Abia, Ebonyi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states, strengthening expectations that he may emerge as the party’s presidential candidate if the trend continues.
In Gombe State, results announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. David Agbu, showed that Atiku polled 139,334 votes. Amaechi came in a distant second with 1,150 votes, while Hayatu-Deen secured 464 votes.
Atiku also topped the poll in Abia State, garnering 25,153 votes ahead of Amaechi, who scored 18,339 votes. Hayatu-Deen received 3,264 votes.
In Ebonyi State, the former vice president recorded another overwhelming victory. Results announced by the ADC National Vice Chairman (Diaspora), Fred Onwe, indicated that Atiku secured 15,300 votes, while Amaechi polled 2,200 votes and Hayatu-Deen managed 200 votes.
The Sokoto results further underscored Atiku’s dominance in the early stages of the exercise. He polled 68,823 votes, leaving Amaechi with 292 votes and Hayatu-Deen with 319 votes.
A similar pattern emerged in Zamfara State, where Atiku obtained 60,500 votes. Hayatu-Deen scored 436 votes, while Amaechi secured 191 votes.
The ongoing primary is seen as a major test of strength within the ADC as opposition parties continue realignments ahead of the 2027 general election. Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 and 2023 elections, has remained one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and ex-chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, entered the race promising institutional reforms and stronger internal party democracy, while Hayatu-Deen campaigned on economic restructuring and private sector-driven growth.
Political observers say the ADC primary is likely to shape coalition talks among opposition blocs seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Party officials are expected to announce the complete results later today after collation from the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory. (PUNCH)
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has felicitated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Kashim Shettima and Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world as they celebrate Eid El Kabir.
In a congratulatory message through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President said the occasion calls for prayer and sober reflection on the theme of sacrifice.
“This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
“These timeless virtues of devotion, selflessness, and submission to divine will are values our nation desperately needs today”, he stated.
Akpabio said “To our dear President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima and Muslim brothers and sisters, I felicitate with them on behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate on this blessed Eid. May the lessons of sacrifice, compassion, and generosity that define this season strengthen your faith and bring peace to your homes.
“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria.
“To all Nigerians, I urge us to use this solemn period to pray fervently for peace, security, and prosperity in our land. Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our Nation.
“Eid El Kabir also calls us to deep reflection on the future of our country. Just as Prophet Ibrahim was tested, Nigeria is in a season of testing.
“The sacrifices we make today in patience, in tolerance and in choosing hope over despair will determine the Nigeria our children inherit.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, supported by the National Assembly, is anchored on that same principle: that meaningful progress often requires collective sacrifice.
“May Almighty Allah accept your prayers and sacrifices. May He heal our land, guide our leaders, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Barka da Sallah. Eid Mubarak
ADC Primary: Hayatu-Deen Pulls Out Of Results Announcement Alleged Irregularities
JUST IN: Atiku extends lead in ADC presidential primaries, wins five states
Eid El Kabir: Akpabio calls for sacrifice, unity and national renewal
-
News21 hours agoSEDC Launches Venture Capital Drive to Unlock South-East Business Growth
-
Metro15 hours agoOne hospitalised as container collapses on bus in Lagos
-
Sports15 hours agoNigeria vs Zimbabwe – date, time, venue and where to watch
-
News15 hours agoEx-IGP Adamu quits APC after losing party gubernatorial primary in Nasarawa
-
News20 hours agoPrimaries:”You’ve no right to declare winners, APC chairman tells state primary electotoral chairmen, insists only NWC can declare winners
-
News15 hours agoEx-Katsina Governor’s Aide Nura Aliyu Arrested for Masterminding Abduction of 8-Year-Old Boy Set To Contest For State House of Assembly Seat Under APC
-
Metro15 hours agoEmir Escapes As Bandits Attack Palace, Abduct Women, Children
-
Foreign15 hours agoIran president orders internet restored after war suspension
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login