Badenoch claims Trump ‘will be a force for good in the world’ as UK braces for possible tariff war
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President-elect has recently ramped up threats over his desire for the US to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed Donald Trump will be a “force for good in the world” just days after the business secretary warned a ‘tariff war’ inspired by the next US President could lead to higher inflation and unemployment.
![[Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Mr Trump’s presidency will be a ‘challenging time for anyone responsible for trade’]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/16/11/187f48c6ec0a96ede1fe05590a33b6faY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM3MTA5MzU4-2.77792042.jpg)
The danger posed by potential US tariffs is greater for the UK than other comparable countries, the business secretary warned as Mr Trump prepares to return to the White House on Monday. Mr Trump’s presidency will be a “challenging time for anyone responsible for trade”, amid fears of a global trade war, he added.
In the run-up to his election, the Republican promised to implement 10 to 20 per cent tariffs on all goods coming into the country – a figure that rises to 60 per cent for those from China. Earlier this month he also ramped up threats over his desire for the US to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Asked if he would rule out using military or economic force in order to take over the Canal or the autonomous Danish territory, he said “no, I can’t assure you on either of those two” and added “but I can say this, we need them for economic security”.
In an interview with The Times, Ms Badenoch suggested his time in the White House would be positive. She told the paper: “The leader of the US is the leader of the free world. So yes, he will be a force for good in the world. But I want him to also be a force for good for the UK.”.
