Nigel Farage is putting Donald Trump before Britain by “championing” the White House on protectionism, Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is expected to claim.
Sir Mel, who will speak at the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Policy Conference tomorrow, is hoping to put clear blue water between the Tories and Reform on the economy.
The Shadow Chancellor will condemn Mr Trump’s tariff-heavy return to the White House, while stressing the importance of strengthening Anglo-American relations.
He is expected to say: “Tariffs are not the answer to our economic troubles. Increasing trade barriers is unquestionably a step backwards and will leave everyone worse off.
“So the approach of the current US administration is concerning.”
Taking aim at Mr Farage, Sir Mel is expected to add: “It is disappointing that some politicians in our own country – in the Reform Party, for example – want to be seen as the champions of the White House in the UK, rather than being unequivocal in their stance on free and fair trade.”
Reform UK responded to Sir Mel’s swipe by pointing out Mr Farage had condemned Mr Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland.
“Nigel Farage has been explicitly clear that he opposes Trump’s tariff regime,” a Reform UK spokesman said.
Donald Trump and Nigel Farage first became friends in 2016 | NIGEL FARAGE
“Once again, the Tories have to resort to dishonesty because no one is listening to them.
“Minor party Mel should be making a speech apologising for ballooning welfare budget he allowed to happen under his watch as a minister.”
Despite criticising Mr Trump over tariffs last month, polling suggests Reform UK needs to come down harder on the US President to reassure key voters to support Mr Farage at the next general election.
Mr Farage first became friends with the US President in 2016, maintaining close ties with the White House to put pressure on Mr Trump to U-turn on Sir Keir Starmer’s Chagos deal.
However, Sir Mel is expected to hail the special relationship between the US and UK during his speech.
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride is expected to launch a scathing attack against Reform UK
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GETTYHe will say: “The ties between the UK and US are deep and longstanding.
“Our two countries have stronger bonds than perhaps almost any other two nations in the world – culturally, diplomatically, and of course, economically.”
The Shadow Chancellor’s speech is also expected to include a stern defence of free trade.
“Britain for centuries has thrived as an open, free-trading nation,” Sir Mel will add.
Nigel Farage with Donald Trump on the campaign trail in 2016 | GETTY
“It is how a small set of islands off the north coast of Europe became the world’s first industrialised economy, a superpower, that in terms of territorial extent at least, has never been surpassed.”
However, a direct plea will be made to Mr Trump against threatening yet more tariffs.
He will say: “Tariffs are not the answer to our economic troubles.
“Trade is about mutual benefit. It is not a zero-sum game.
Sir Mel Stride faced a furious response from Reform UK over his record as Pensions Secretary
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PA“Increasing trade barriers is unquestionably a step backwards and will leave everyone worse off.
“So the approach of the current US administration is concerning.”
However, Sir Mel’s attack on Reform UK stops short of the tone of some of his colleagues.
Tory Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake last year appeared to compare a special edition Reform UK football shirt to the Nazi Party’s golden party badge.
Meanwhile, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel sparked fury on GB News last month when she described Reform UK as “national socialists”.