Don’t prioritise EU relations while neglecting crucial trade deal with Trump, Tories fume at Starmer
Don’t prioritise EU relations while neglecting crucial trade deal with Trump, Tories fume at Starmer
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TORIES have warned the PM against wooing the EU while appearing to go cold on a trade deal with President Trump. Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit pointman was in Brussels yesterday eyeing closer ties. But the Conservatives said Labour should instead be concentrating on a US agreement amid threats of tariffs. Downing Street refused to commit to a comprehensive trade deal with Mr Trump. A spokesman said: “We want to boost trade with the US, so we’re not going to get ahead of where those talks get to.”.
![[Keir Starmer and Mette Frederiksen shaking hands at 10 Downing Street.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/3dde35d9-aaec-4512-a38e-ce67d30f26a0.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Meanwhile Sir Keir’s EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds flew to Brussels to give a speech at the UK-EU Forum in which he called for “greater co-operation”. He went on: “The future of the EU and the UK lies beyond the status quo.”. Sir Keir has promised not to cross his red lines on freedom of movement or a customs union. He has also vowed not to pick sides between Europe and the US. The Tories failed to get a US trade deal done in government. But Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “It’s time for the PM to get off the fence.
![[President Donald Trump sitting at his desk in the Oval Office.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/epa11875371-us-president-donald-trump-969223405.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
