I am live on air on BBC Radio 5 as I write this, talking about Trump's potential trade deal with the UK.
These were my notes before going on air:
I did use the F word on air.
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Doing any deal with Trump is frankly embarrassing. It is a betrayal of our own population, and of the many decent Americans who hate what MAGA stands for. It will inevitably diminish our standing in the eyes of the rest of Europe and elsewhere.
Any deal legitimises Trump and the ideas that enabled him and taking America in this unfortunate and dangerous direction.
Is this not why we apparently do the opposite to other countries – sanctions – disrupt trade? – when we disapprove of them?
Once again it illustrates the paucity of the values and principles in the Global North.
There are none.
Thank you, Richard.
A reporter on the BBC’s breakfast tv news suggested that the deal should be seen as part of the wider alliance, including military, with the US. He added that other countries are queueing up to sign a deal with the US, but Britain beat them. There was brief mention of the deal with India. It was implied that the UK is now over Brexit.
You and I both know that this is total bollocks. And the BBC spins it.
I offered another view in Radio 5 just now, forcing discussion on whether Trump is a fascist on air.
The Trump administration has read the history books and decided to follow it like an instruction guide. The paths are well trodden. We know where these things go. We are also learning why it is difficult to stop authoritarianism. Too many want to continue believing that events are different, when in fact they are similar.
It was so important you injected into the discussion on the limited trade deal with the US that Trump (and his Project 2025 cronies) are turning the US into a fascist state. All the traits are becoming clear day by day. It is really worrying, and my friends in the US are getting increasingly disturbed at the draconian attacks on civil liberties and the vile unconstitutional and illegal treatment of immigrants and people who have sought refuge.
Thanks
When the likes of Snyder, Applebaum, Reich, Krugman and other serious commentators see America descending into autocracy and fascism, we can be pretty sure that it is
Indeed
I didn’t think I was taking a risk in saying Trump is a fascist
I couldn’t believe it… Nicky Campbell allowed you to speak more than once (nearly as much as the Spectator journalist) !
Wonderful to hear … and using the F word emboldened others who followed to do the same. A morning well spent. Thank you.
Thank you
I can’t wait for the details, I suspect lots of devils.
Such as: chlorine chicken on sale, US corporations able to sue the government and immense tax breaks for the rich.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you dont get so many invitations in future. Peter Oborne got dumped . I heard BBC congratulating themselves on r4 media show on how evenly they have covered reform . There is just no high profile independent monitoring of how they break their editorial guidelines week after week month after month.
Nicky Campbell and Jeremy Vine both like me
The producer thanked me very specifically this morning, noting what I hjad said and saying it made good radio.
Thats good
You came across very well – I ridiculously thought you had said the other F word.
Oh no, not Farage
One wonders how large a “tribute” in Trumpcoin the UK has had to make.
King Donald has announced that the trade deal agreed with the UK is “full and comprehensive”.
Will we ever see the full “treaty” published for the UK audience.
Will the UK have been screwed in no steer’s desperation for any deal with that Special Friend, King Donald??
That is my fear
This is simply one of Trumps “shiny things” to take attention away from the reality in the US.
He promised 90 deals in 90 days – that he, himself, would agree. Up until yesterday he’d delivered none.
Not only that, Trump’s being slaughtered at home after the really bad interview he gave at the weekend in which he expanded his admission that girls might have to have only two dolls instead of 30, and added in only five pencils instead of 250. He also has twice now answered important question with ‘I don’t know’. On issue he should know, and no other President would ever have answered that way.
So, this is out of desperation. Decided by Trump overnight (though he alluded to a deal, but would say which one, yesterday – hence posted on on Truth Social), and to be honest it makes me want to puke that Starmer and co are so desperate that they go along with this crap.
For a full report of where all this nonsense is coming from and why see segments from Lawrence O’Donnell from both Wednesday and Tuesday evening. https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word
https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-canada-s-pm-humiliated-trump-today-but-not-as-much-as-trump-humiliated-himself-239052357934
And this:
https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/lawrence-trump-s-stupidity-has-power-so-you-can-always-feel-the-danger-of-that-stupidity-238971461775
Thanks
“This is simply one of Trumps “shiny things” to take attention away from the reality in the US.
He promised 90 deals in 90 days – that he, himself, would agree. Up until yesterday he’d delivered none.”
SO TRUE!
He also promised to the end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office.
His “swing voters” are running out of patience with his promises.
Good!!!
Trade implies stuff going two ways. What, exactly has the USA got to offer that could interest the UK?
Traditionally, the USA has supplied the Uk with various weapon systems. Given the F35s supplied to the UK appear to have a US installed “off-switch” this is not an incentive to buy more US weapon stuff. Furthermore, Europe can supply better and cheaper – UK just gave to Ukraine ALL of its tracked 155mm artillery & is replacing it with the Swedish Archer system – reckoned to be the best in the world (as the Russians are discovering – right now). Weapons apart, who would buy hormone-riddled beef? Wheat (can get that from Ukraine), …dodgy financial services (eh?) health stuff (really?)…..I fail to see what if anything the USA has got to offer that the UK could not get from the EU or other places – that are not run by a felon/rapist plus two failed/failing political parties.
Google ( that is here already before trade deal) & AI? maybe with the Starmer obsession with small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), the trade deal will provide the framework for US-designed Holtec and GE SMRs? We will see…
You were v clear. You had a plan and you got across what you wanted to say (comparing your mindmap notes with the actual content).
You set your own agenda with the F word and that got discussed. Someone raied the issue of how erratic Trump is, trade with Europe was raised by a caller, the challenge from the other guest about China fell flat.
You should be pleased both with how YOU did, and how the whole slot went.
What you wanted to communicate was not just “said” but was “communicated” to the listeners.
KUTGW!
McTeam will be bashing a plasticine model of you with a shelaighleigh right now. You may get smeared.
If that’s the worst that happens to me, I will be pleased
Haven’t done a List of the Day for a while, so here’s one. 51st State, anyone?
Deliveroo – In May 2025, U.S.-based DoorDash agreed to acquire UK food delivery company Deliveroo for £2.9 billion. The deal, pending shareholder and regulatory approval, underscores the growing U.S. interest in the UK.
Wingstop UK – The UK franchise of the American fast-food chain Wingstop was sold in early 2025 to U.S. private equity firm Sixth Street for over £400 million. Sixth Street now holds a majority stake in Lemon Pepper Holdings, the franchise operator for the UK and Ireland .
Dowlais Group (formerly GKN Automotive) – In January 2025, Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing agreed to acquire Dowlais for £1.2 billion. The merger aims to strengthen both companies amid the automotive industry’s shift to electric vehicles .
DeepMind – Acquired by Google (Alphabet Inc.) in 2014, DeepMind remains a leading AI research lab headquartered in London.
Darktrace – In 2024, U.S. private equity firm Thoma Bravo acquired cybersecurity firm Darktrace, taking it private in a deal valued at approximately $5 billion .
Abcam – The Cambridge-based biotech company was acquired by U.S. conglomerate Danaher in 2024 as part of a broader $12.7 billion investment spree in UK life sciences .
Inmarsat – The British satellite communications company was acquired by California-based Viasat in 2023, marking a significant shift in the UK’s space sector.
Meggitt, Ultra Electronics, and Chobham – These UK aerospace and defense firms have been acquired by U.S. companies, including Parker Hannifin, leading to concerns over the migration of strategic technologies and capabilities .
Worldpay – Originally a UK-based payment processing company, Worldpay has undergone several ownership changes and is now headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, under U.S. ownership .
About 4 months ago, the Guardian reported that, according to economic analyst Angus Hanton, approximately 25% of the UK’s GDP is generated by U.S. multinationals operating in Britain.
£700 billion a year is extracted from the UK each year to America.
I very much doubt that.
Sorry, but they do not get 25% of GDP
I’m sure you’re right Richard. And The Guardian isn’t saying that either. The picture is one of enormous, and growing control of UK business by U.S investors. How can there be a balanced trade deal in these circumstances?
I really hope it doesn’t include food imports & a relaxation of food standards. The US Dept of Agriculture is withdrawing a Biden-era rule limiting the levels of salmonella bacteria in meat & poultry. In the US salmonella causes 1.35million infections a year & kills over 400 people. 170,000 infections come from chicken & turkey. No wonder they need to wash them in chlorine!
The poultry company Pilgrim’s Pride gave $5 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.
But as Farage has said when recently interviewed, the well-off can eat more expensive British produce, the poor could feast on cheaper American imports – you see it’s all about choice! Welcome to our brave new world
Trump says it covers agriculture
We say it doesn’t
Some deal, eh?
I wonder if it even exists.
Not only do we have to consider rising levels of salmonella infections in livestock, but the fact that a growing proportion of a growing number of inections involve multiple-drug resistant strains of salmonella.
As neoliberal economies cut back on “waste” and “bureaucratic regulations” at all levels of the food chain, then this causes a rise in serious/fatal food poisoning cases due to reduced regulation/inspection/enforcement around:
Antibiotics used as growth promoters, particularly in pig/poultry intensive units
Animal health & veterinary inspectors employed by state to enforce legislation on farms, at markets and in abbattoirs.
Food & hygiene inspectors at food manufacturers, food retailers, fast food outlets and restaurants.
Public health departments monitoring this stuff to inform public health policy.
Government labs with neccessary expertise and capacity and staff to work in them.
The situation in the EU and in USA is VERY different. Starmer is heading towards the USA model.
All these things cost government money, and are claimed to restrict business and hinder growth.
Fatal enteric disease in the very young, the very old the immuno-suppressed, the chronically sick and disabled, on the other hand, leads to economic growth, in drug sales, coroner activity and funeral parlours, along with savings in pension, child benefits, social care, and pip and other welfare benefits, and all the growth around resultant property sales, house refurbishments, furniture, DIY sales, as homes of the poisoned channge hands.
What’s not to like?
(Sarcasm warning, in case anyone thought I’d gone over to the dark side – not yet….)
So let it rip says Rachel – Hail the might god of growth, praise be to GROWTH!
It’s the details that don’t hit the headlines we need to keep an eye on. I’ve found a few.
The agreement outlines intentions to streamline customs procedures and reduce non-tariff barriers, particularly for US exports to the UK. While specific regulatory changes have not been detailed, this could lead to modifications in UK import regulations to facilitate easier access for US goods.
A central issue in the negotiations has been the UK’s Digital Services Tax, a 2% levy on revenues generated by large digital companies from UK users. The United States has consistently viewed this tax as discriminatory against American tech firms. Reports indicate that the UK has agreed to reduce its DST as part of the trade deal, aligning with US demands and potentially facilitating smoother trade relations in the digital sector.
Further negotiations are expected to address unresolved issues, including digital services, pharmaceuticals, and the film industry. The agreement sets the stage for ongoing negotiations that will further define the economic relationship between the two countries. Buyers beware!
I have not seen references to the DST. Where did you find that?
Apologies. I got that wrong, looking at old articles. I think the reality is that HMG has stood its ground on DST. There will though be further negotiations on digital trade. (Reuters)
Just to make it clear, here’s an extract from the Reuters report.
“The Digital Services Tax remains unchanged as part of today’s deal,” the British government said in a statement.
“Instead the two nations have agreed to work on a digital trade deal that will strip back paperwork for British firms trying to export to the US – opening the UK up to a huge market that will put rocket boosters on the UK economy.”
Thanks
When a lying fascist claims that he has agreed⁸ a “framework” with a lying managerial technocrat with no political skills and a desperate desire to lick boots, no one can rely on what either of them say.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/may/08/donald-trump-trade-deal-us-politics-live-news-latest?page=with%3Ablock-681d15128f087953796a0a68#block-681d15128f087953796a0a68
DST may or may not be part of the “framework” but any taxes will be hormone enhanced and chlorine-washed. Maybe. Or maybe not. Until tomorrow’s announcement on Truth Social depending on what time the screen session ends for trump and how much sleep he gets..
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/may/08/donald-trump-trade-deal-us-politics-live-news-latest?page=with%3Ablock-681d15128f087953796a0a68#block-681d15128f087953796a0a68