🔗 Share this article

Government ministers and leading parliamentarians have issued warnings that the United Kingdom's negotiated accords with Washington are "fundamentally unstable." This stems from revelations that a so-called "milestone" deal on drug pricing, which promises zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS facing higher prices, lacks any detailed agreement beyond vague headline terms contained within government press releases.

Lacking Legal Footing

The US-UK pharmaceuticals agreement, hailed as a "landmark" achievement, remains an "statement of intent" without a signed legal text. Critics have noted that the press releases from the UK and US governments frame the deal in sharply different terms. The British version emphasizes securing "duty-free access" as a singular success, while the American announcement highlights the expectation for the NHS to pay 25% more for new medications.

"We face a genuine possibility that the UK government has promised concessions to increase medicine costs in return for only a pledge from President Trump," stated David Henig, a trade expert. "We know he has a record of not keeping promises."

A Pattern of Unreliability

Concerns have been heightened by Washington's recent decision to put on ice the high-value digital accord, which was previously heralded as "a generational step-change" in the bilateral relationship. The US cited a lack of progress from the UK on addressing wider trade issues as the reason for the pause.

In a separate development, concessions secured for British farmers as part of an initial accord have not been formally approved by the US, despite a fast-approaching January deadline. "Our understanding is that the US has failed to approve the agreed beef export quotas," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Anxiety Behind Closed Doors

In confidential discussions, ministers have admitted unease that the government's US-UK accords are flimsy and unreliable. One minister described the series of agreements as "built on sand," while another described the situation as the "prevailing condition" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "additional layers of volatility and unpredictability."

Layla Moran, chair of the health select committee, stated: "The only thing more surprising than Trump's temper tantrums is the UK government's naive belief that his administration is a trustworthy negotiator. The NHS is not a bargaining chip."

Government Downplays Risks, Points to Gains

Ministry sources have sought to reduce the chances of the US reneging on the pharmaceuticals deal. One source suggested the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been lobbying for the agreement, wanting clarity on imports and pricing, making it of tangible value than the paused tech deal.

Officials concede that unpredictability is inherent in dealing with the current US leadership. However, they contend that the UK has achieved real benefits for businesses, such as lower steel tariffs compared to other nations. "The fact we have 25% steel tariffs, which is more favorable than the rate for the rest of the world, is a concrete advantage," one official said.

Nevertheless, problems have arisen in carrying out the broader trade deal. Promised quotas on beef exports have not materialized, and the commitment to "remove tariffs on British steel and aluminium" has not been fulfilled, with tariffs fixed at 25%.

Looking ahead, the two sides have scheduled to restart talks on the paused tech prosperity deal in January, following what were described as "very positive" meetings between UK and US officials in Washington.