Chris Mason: Tariffs deal a triumph for Starmer – up to some extent

This had all of the hallmarks of Trumpian political theatrics.

Within the Canadian sunshine right here within the Rockies on the G7 summit, President Trump emerged from a gathering with Sir Keir Starmer brandishing a folder.

Inside it was the deal US and UK officers have been placing collectively to flesh out a tariffs settlement struck final month.

Alas, Trump’s papers broke free and tumbled to the tarmac.

The prime minister was fast to bend down to choose them up.

Amid the tariff turbulence coming from the White Home, it is a triumph – up to some extent – for Downing Road.

The aerospace business will see tariffs eliminated utterly and there will likely be a ten% levy on the automotive business.

Twice within the final couple of months the prime minister has dashed to Jaguar Land Rover’s plant in Solihull within the West Midlands – first, when enormous tariffs have been imposed, after which once more when it regarded like one thing of a reprieve might be imminent.

There isn’t a doubt there was deep concern within the area and in authorities that, except a deal was executed, the job losses might be vital.

The expectation is that this deal will forestall that.

There’s one wrinkle: whereas UK authorities officers level out that Britain is the one nation to be exempt from the worldwide tariff of fifty% on metal and aluminium, a 25% tariff stays.

Negotiations to take away this proceed.

I’m instructed it’s over a technicality of having the ability to show that metal has been made within the UK, moderately than imported and merely tweaked – and that is tougher than it could appear.

There’s additionally a deal for reciprocal entry to 13,000 metric tonnes of beef being bought every means – which means British farmers can export beef to the US.

Officers insist there was no change to the UK’s meals security requirements in making this occur.

Taking a step again, this is not the total fats US-UK commerce deal some as soon as envisioned – and, as ever with President Trump, it has been reached in a moderately unorthodox means.

However, amid his home political woes, it’s an achievement for the prime minister on the worldwide stage that few different leaders can boast of.