President Donald Trump said the United States may reconsider its preferential trade agreement with Britain, citing concerns over policy decisions and alliance commitments.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said the United States could revisit its existing trade agreement with the United Kingdom, warning that continued policy disagreements may put the arrangement at risk.
In an interview with Sky News, Trump outlined concerns about Britain’s current direction, pointing to energy policy, immigration, and defense posture as key areas of disagreement.
“You see, your energy prices are the highest in the world. And I think he’s made a tragic mistake on immigration… Energy is causing them problems because, think of it, they won’t use the North Sea, and yet they buy a lot of their energy from Norway, which uses the North Sea, and they pay double the price,” Trump said.
He added, “What’s going on there? See, I love that country. I love your country and I would love to see it succeed. But if you have bad immigration policies and bad energy policies, you have the worst of both. You can’t succeed, not possible.”
Trump said the United States had extended favorable trade terms to the United Kingdom but indicated those terms are subject to change. “We gave them a good trade deal. Better than I had to. Which can always be changed. But we gave them a trade deal that was very good because they’re having a lot of problems,” he said.
The president also addressed the broader U.S.-U.K. relationship, describing it as strained in recent periods. “How is the relationship? It’s the relationship where: when we asked them for help, they were not there. When we needed them, they were not there. When we didn’t need them, they were not there. And they still aren’t there… it’s been better, but it’s sad.”
Trump reiterated his criticism of British immigration policy, stating, “They’re destroying… your country is being invaded… By illegal immigrants from all over the world, including those from prisons, drug dealers, people from mental institutions. Your country is being invaded.”
Despite policy disagreements, Trump distinguished between the British government and the monarchy, expressing a positive view of King Charles III ahead of an upcoming state visit. “He’s a great gentleman, a friend of mine. He’s a fantastic person… I’ve known the King for a long time, and he’s not involved in that process,” Trump said, adding that he looks forward to the visit.
The president also revisited long-standing concerns about the United Kingdom’s energy strategy, urging greater use of domestic resources. “Europe is desperate for Energy, and yet the United Kingdom refuses to open North Sea Oil, one of the greatest fields in the World. Tragic,” he said, referencing earlier comments he has made on the issue.
Trump’s remarks underscore ongoing tensions over policy differences between Washington and London, while highlighting the potential for economic and diplomatic consequences tied to the future of the bilateral trade relationship.
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