Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about a future U.S.-U.K. trade deal under a potential Trump administration, citing President Trump’s affinity for Britain as a reassuring signal for a nation recently subjected to his 10% tariff policy.
In an interview published Tuesday by the British outlet UnHerd, Vance emphasized Trump’s admiration for King Charles III, calling the U.S.-U.K. bond “a very important relationship.” He also noted ongoing collaboration with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government, stating, “There’s a good chance we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.”
While details of a potential deal remain vague, negotiations are expected to face hurdles. Past U.S.-U.K. trade talks have stalled over contentious issues like American agricultural imports, including chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef—products long opposed by British critics. The U.S. has prioritized trade discussions with Japan and other partners, though Britain remains eager to renegotiate after Trump’s broad tariffs on allies sparked global backlash.
Vance’s remarks marked a tonal shift toward Europe after months of friction. Earlier this year, he drew criticism for endorsing far-right factions like Germany’s AfD and dismissing the military contributions of NATO allies, including Britain and France. At the Munich Security Conference, he warned European leaders that ignoring public sentiment would render them irrelevant to U.S. interests. He later sparked outrage by downplaying the value of European troop commitments to Ukraine, calling a U.S.-Ukraine minerals pact a “better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country.”
Despite these tensions, Vance struck a conciliatory note in the UnHerd interview, declaring, “I love Europe… You can’t separate American culture from European culture.” He reiterated, however, that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense, arguing reliance on U.S. security is unsustainable. Britain and France—exempted from his criticism—are currently leading efforts to bolster Ukraine’s security amid peace talks with Russia.
Analysts remain skeptical about a swift trade breakthrough, citing longstanding disputes over food standards and political sensitivities in Britain. Meanwhile, Vance’s choice of UnHerd as a platform drew attention. The outlet, founded by hedge fund manager Paul Marshall—a former Liberal Democrat donor turned conservative media investor—also owns The Spectator and backs GB News, reflecting its right-leaning editorial stance.
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