US and UK Open Bilateral Trade Negotiations After Liberation Day Tariffs

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer opened formal bilateral trade negotiations with the United Kingdom on April 18, 2025, two weeks after Trump's Liberation Day tariffs imposed a 10% levy on UK goods. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer tasked his trade team with securing relief on steel, aluminum, and automotive tariffs as priority objectives. The negotiations proceeded under executive branch authority without a formal congressional mandate, drawing early scrutiny from senators who argued any binding agreement would require Senate ratification as a treaty.