Nigel Farage has extended an olive branch to Sir Keir Starmer as the Reform UK leader hopes to seal a mega-Brexit trade deal with the US following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Farage, 60, is prepared to use his MAGA contacts to help Britain avoid a series of hefty trade tariffs set to be imposed by the incoming Trump administration after January 20.
Trump has said that tariffs of between 10 and 20 per cent could be imposed on all goods – with those rates being higher for countries such as China and Mexico.
Following signs of a Labour revolt over Farage’s involvement, the Clacton MP stressed he is willing to put party politics to one side in a bid to support the national interest.
He told The Telegraph: “I am no fan of any of the people in the Labour Party, but if it is in the national interest I have always thought I could be a useful asset if they want to use that – but if they don’t, more fool them.”
Farage added: “There has to be a proper negotiation around tariffs and trade. The opportunity for sectoral free trade relationships is very, very high.”
The Brexit supremo suggested that the UK could look to address City regulation before turning attention to more contentious issues, such as agriculture.
Farage also appeared to advise the Prime Minister against pivoting towards the EU’s orbit.
He said: “I know these people, and in terms of trade, in terms of defence and in terms of intelligence, the US is our most important relationship in the world – forget Brussels.”
Lord Peter Mandelson, who will soon become the UK’s next US Ambassador, has already publicly and privately indicated that Labour should “swallow” its pride and seek to engage “friends” of the US administration, including Farage.
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However, some Labour insiders fear such a decision would “elevate” Farage’s status and warn that Reform UK’s policies would serve as an anathema to many supporters.
No10 has refused to be drawn on whether Lord Mandelson should engage with Farage.
Starmer’s official spokesman said: “Obviously, the Prime Minister has had a very good dinner with president-elect Trump in New York. He had a good phone call last week, and he’s pleased to have made this appointment.
“I’m not aware of a conversation with others, but the Prime Minister’s already started to begin building that relationship with President Trump, and looks forward to working with him and his whole team to further the UK-US special relationship.”
Despite Trump’s 2024 campaign manager Chris LaCivita labelling the New Labour grandee a “moron”, Downing Street also insisted that Lord Mandelson would be a “serious asset”.
Peter Mandelson has been appointed as the new ambassador to the USA
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However, Farage’s advice already appears to come in direct contrast to Starmer’s balancing act between Washington and Brussels.
The Prime Minister told The Sun: “I think we can pursue both. I don’t accept the argument you have got to either be with the US or be with the EU, that isn’t how it works at the moment with our current trade.
“We do want a closer relationship with the EU on security, on defence, on energy and, yes, on trade, and I’ve set out how we want to reset on a number of occasions.
“At the same time, I want to improve our trading relationship with the US. Is that going to be easy? Of course it’s not. Do I think we can make progress? Yes, I do.”
Mandelson is also well-known for his Europhile views and previously served as European Commissioner for Trade.
