Don’t prioritise EU relations while neglecting crucial trade deal with Trump, Tories fume at Starmer
TORIES have warned the PM against wooing the EU while appearing to go cold on a trade deal with President Trump.
Sir Keir Starmer’s Brexit pointman was in Brussels yesterday eyeing closer ties.
But the Conservatives said Labour should instead be concentrating on a US agreement amid threats of tariffs.
Downing Street refused to commit to a comprehensive trade deal with Mr Trump.
A spokesman said: “We want to boost trade with the US, so we’re not going to get ahead of where those talks get to.”
Meanwhile Sir Keir’s EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds flew to Brussels to give a speech at the UK-EU Forum in which he called for “greater co-operation”.
He went on: “The future of the EU and the UK lies beyond the status quo.”
Sir Keir has promised not to cross his red lines on freedom of movement or a customs union.
He has also vowed not to pick sides between Europe and the US.
The Tories failed to get a US trade deal done in government. But Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “It’s time for the PM to get off the fence.
“A trade deal with the US would be the holy grail.
“But all the time he sits adoring his Euro chums he is failing to get a deal that puts Britain’s interests first.”