The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 30, 2025
Today: April 30, 2025

Vance sees 'good chance' of a US-UK deal, criticises Zelenskiy

American Dynamism Summit in Washington
April 15, 2025
Reuters - Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) - There is a good chance that the United States and Britain will strike a "great agreement" on trade due to President Donald Trump's love of the country and its royal family, his deputy JD Vance said in an interview with UnHerd on Tuesday.

Britain was spared the most punitive treatment in Trump's initial tariff announcement, due to the two sides enjoying a largely balanced trade relationship. Still, British imports in the U.S. now incur a 10% charge while its steel and car sectors incur a rate of 25%.

Officials from both countries have been locked in talks for weeks that initially focused on boosting cooperation on artificial intelligence and tech but could also expand to include food and other goods.

Vance told UnHerd that the U.S. administration was working very hard with Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government.

"The President really loves the United Kingdom," he said. "He loved the Queen. He admires and loves the King. It is a very important relationship. And he's a businessman and has a number of important business relationships in (Britain)."

Citing a U.S. cultural affinity for Britain, Vance said: "I think there's a good chance that, yes, we'll come to a great agreement that's in the best interest of both countries".

Vance, who has taken a combative approach to Europe since he became vice president in January, reiterated his stance that he wanted Europe as a whole to increase its security spending, and once again criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Vance, responding to Zelenskiy's recent comments that he had somehow justified Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said he had condemned Russia since 2022 but had since tried to understand the strategic objectives of both sides to find a solution.

"That doesn't mean you morally support the Russian cause, or that you support the full-scale invasion, but you do have to try to understand what are their strategic red lines, in the same way that you have to try to understand what the Ukrainians are trying to get out of the conflict," he said.

"I think it's sort of absurd for Zelenskiy to tell the [American] government, which is currently keeping his entire government and war effort together, that we are somehow on the side of the Russians."

He said that kind of rhetoric was "certainly not productive".

(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Related

Business|Economy|Finance|World

Russian GDP up 1.4% in March, economy ministry says

Business|Economy|Europe|Technology|World

Airbus calls for return to duty-free status for aircraft and parts

Business|Economy|Health|Science|Technology

Novartis to buy kidney disease drug maker Regulus in up to $1.7 billion deal

Arts|Business|Economy|Europe|Technology|World

EssilorLuxottica to consider moving part of its production to US

Local

Business|Economy|Local|News|Political|WrittenByLAPost

55,000 County workers strike over alleged labor violations

Local|News

Judge may impose fine after no show in Starbucks hot drink suit

Entertainment|Local|News

L.A. City Council approves proposal to help film production

Entertainment|Celebrity|Local|News

Ellen Pompeo's star on Hollywood Walk of Fame unveiled

Share This

Popular

Business|Economy|Finance|World

Russian GDP up 1.4% in March, economy ministry says

Russian GDP up 1.4% in March, economy ministry says
Business|Economy|Europe|Technology|World

Airbus calls for return to duty-free status for aircraft and parts

Airbus calls for return to duty-free status for aircraft and parts
Business|Economy|Health|Science|Technology

Novartis to buy kidney disease drug maker Regulus in up to $1.7 billion deal

Novartis to buy kidney disease drug maker Regulus in up to $1.7 billion deal
Arts|Business|Economy|Europe|Technology|World

EssilorLuxottica to consider moving part of its production to US

EssilorLuxottica to consider moving part of its production to US

Political

Africa|Business|Political|World

Sudan's army leader Burhan appoints an acting prime minister, statement says

Sudan's army leader Burhan appoints an acting prime minister, statement says
Business|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|US|World

Instant View: Tame March PCE inflation no salve after downbeat Q1 US GDP report

Instant View: Tame March PCE inflation no salve after downbeat Q1 US GDP report
Business|Economy|MidEast|Political|US|World

US targets Iran with fresh sanctions ahead of next nuclear talks

US targets Iran with fresh sanctions ahead of next nuclear talks
Business|Economy|Education|Political|US

US Supreme Court resolves pay fight in favor of federal workers who also are military reservists

US Supreme Court resolves pay fight in favor of federal workers who also are military reservists