Sir Keir Starmer must sue Donald Trump for $100billion for “damaging our country”, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey demanded today.
On Friday, the majority of the Trump administration’s tariffs levied on imports coming into the United States were struck down in a six-to-three decision by the US Supreme Court.
But the President announced he is set to sign an executive order imposing a new 10 per cent global tariff,” just hours after the ruling deemed his “reciprocal” import duties illegal.
Speaking at his party’s conference in Edinburgh this morning, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton said: “Let’s hope that the rule of law will triumph in America today and bring to book the most dangerous, damaging US President of modern times.
“And my advice today to Keir Starmer is to sue Donald Trump for $100billion for the damage he scored to Scotland and our country.
“It’s the only language he understands.”
In the speech, Sir Ed hailed the “brilliant” decision by the Supreme Court as he branded Mr Trump a “bully”.
He claimed he has “long said Keir Starmer’s approach is wrong” with Britain’s relationship with Washington DC – ever since the start of Mr Trump’s second term.
“You can’t kowtow to a bully,” he said, further adding he did not believe Sir Keir Starmer had “achieved anything in his trade negotiations” with the US.
Sir Ed argued: “I would take a different view, I would sue Donald Trump for the damage he has caused to our economy, to jobs, to businesses, to investment, to the cost of living.”
Meanwhile, he heaped praise onto Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for “standing up” to the President, urging Sir Keir to look elsewhere when it comes to international trade deals.
“The UK Prime Minister should not yield to a bully,” Sir Ed said.
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“He should look at trade deals with our partners in Europe, a new EU-UK customs union, and with other countries, Commonwealth countries like Canada, so we have alternatives.”
Following the court’s ruling, a Government spokesman confirmed British officials would work with the White House to “understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the UK and the rest of the world”.
He added the UK “enjoys the lowest reciprocal tariffs globally, and under any scenario we expect our privileged trading position with the US to continue”.
However, UK businesses were assured they would receive continued support as further details about the tariffs are announced.
“Under any scenario, we expect our privileged trading position with the US to continue and will work with the administration to understand how the ruling will affect tariffs for the UK and the rest of the world,” he said.