🔗 Share this article

Elected officials have issued warnings that the United Kingdom's negotiated accords with the US administration are "lacking a solid foundation." This follows revelations that a so-called "milestone" deal on drug pricing, which promises zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS facing higher prices, lacks any underlying contract beyond vague headline terms outlined by government press releases.

Lacking Legal Footing

The US-UK pharmaceuticals agreement, hailed as a "generational" achievement, is still an "agreement in principle" without formal ratification. Observers point out that the public statements 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 commitment for the NHS to pay significantly more for new medications.

"There is a serious risk that the UK government has made commitments to increase medicine costs in return for nothing more than a verbal promise from President Trump," said David Henig, a trade policy analyst. "It is documented he has a record of not keeping promises."

Wider Concerns Amidst a Suspended Agreement

Worries have been amplified by Washington's action to put on ice the major technology agreement, which was previously described as "a huge leap forward" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a lack of progress from the UK on reducing other tariffs as the reason for the pause.

In a separate development, concessions secured for British farmers as part of an earlier tariff deal have still not been formally ratified by the US, despite a imminent January deadline. "Our understanding is that the US has not yet signed off the reciprocal tariff rate quota," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Uncertainty Among Officials

Privately, ministers have admitted unease that the government's deals with Washington are unstable and unpredictable. One minister described the series of agreements as "built on sand," while another characterized the situation as the "new normal" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "increased uncertainty and instability."

Layla Moran, a senior MP on the health committee, argued: "What is even more astonishing than the US approach is the UK government's credulous faith that his administration is a good faith actor. The NHS is too precious to be gambled with."

A Mixed Picture of Success and Setback

Officials have downplayed the possibility of the US reneging on the pharmaceuticals deal. One source indicated the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been lobbying for the agreement, desiring stability on imports and pricing, making it less abstract than the paused tech deal.

Officials concede that volatility is inherent in dealing with the Trump administration. However, they maintain that the UK has achieved real benefits for businesses, such as preferential tariff rates compared to other nations. "Our achievement of 25% steel tariffs, which is more favorable than the rate for the rest of the world, is a concrete advantage," one official said.

Yet, problems have surfaced in carrying out the May tariff agreement. Promised access for British beef have failed to be approved, and the commitment to "remove tariffs on British steel and aluminium" has not been fulfilled, with tariffs remaining at 25%.

Moving forward, the two sides have scheduled to restart talks on the suspended digital agreement in January, following what were described as "productive" meetings between UK and US officials in Washington.