Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Cindy Yu and many others.
It's the day after America 'reclaimed it's destiny', or so Donald Trump says. The President announced a raft of 'reciprocal' new tariffs from the White House rose garden, including a 10% levy on the UK which – before it comes into effect on 5th April – the government hope to negotiate down.
Other countries have come off much worse. China, for example, will experience a 34 per cent ‘discounted reciprocal tariffs’, compared to the 67 per cent Trump claims China puts on US goods. The European Union will experience 20 per cent levies, compared to the 39 per cent Trump also says is put on US goods. ‘We’re a very kind people, we’re very kind,’ the President said of Americans. But ‘not so kind when you get ripped off’. The EU says they have a 'strong plan' to retaliate, how might this jeopardise Starmer's European reset? And is the UK's lower rate a rare example of a Brexit benefit?
Oscar Edmondson speaks to Katy Balls and Freddy Gray.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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12:11
Should Starmer impose retaliatory tariffs? Plus local elections lookahead
It’s World Tariff Day – or Liberation Day, depending on what you prefer to call it – but we won’t know for certain what levies Donald Trump will impose on the world until around 9 p.m. this evening. Sources are speculating that Trump still isn’t 100 per cent sure himself. But as the UK awaits its fate, what is the polling saying: should Starmer stand up to Trump?
Also on the podcast, it’s just under a month until the local elections, and we have seen big launch events from Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats. These are the parties expecting to do well – potentially winning upwards of 400 council seats each. Labour and the Tories, meanwhile, are managing expectations. After some internal turbulence over the last month or so, could the local elections put Reform back on track? Who will be the biggest loser?
Katy Balls speaks to James Heale and Luke Tryl, executive director of the polling company More in Common.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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14:15
Welcome to Terrible Tuesday
Britain’s real economic pain starts today. Overnight, the cost of living has jumped once again: energy, water, broadband, public transport, TV licences – all up. So too are council tax bills, capital gains, and vehicle taxes. And that’s before we even get to the slow stealth march of fiscal drag and the impact of World Tariff Day which could wipe out Rachel Reeve's newly restored headroom. Jonathan Reynolds was the unlucky minister on the broadcast round this morning trying to defend this increasingly bleak picture, is there any good news?
James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Michael Simmons.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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13:57
What to expect on 'World Tariff Day'
This week will see ‘World Tariff Day’ – as those in Westminster are not-so-excitedly calling Wednesday – when Donald Trump will announce a wave of new tariffs. Trump is expected to reveal plans for reciprocal tariffs aimed at addressing what he sees as an ongoing trade imbalance between the US and other countries. He argues that it is ‘finally time for the Good Ol’ USA to get some of that MONEY, and RESPECT, BACK. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!’.
It had looked as though the Prime Minister’s softly-softly approach to US relations was working and that we might avoid Trump’s levies... that was until the UK was included in the 25 per cent tariff on cars and auto parts imported into the US, along with steel.
There is some hope, however. Donald Trump and Keir Starmer had a call last night in which they spoke about a limited free trade deal. The pair ‘discussed the productive negotiations between their respective teams on a UK–US economic prosperity deal, agreeing that these will continue at pace this week’. It is a knotty situation for the Prime Minister because if he cannot charm his way back into the US’s good books, he will face more calls to get tough on Donald and threaten retaliatory tariffs. What’s the mood in Westminster? And – more importantly – what’s the mood in Washington?
James Heale speaks to Katy Balls and Kate Andrews.
Produced by Oscar Edmondson.
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13:30
Isabel Hardman's Sunday Roundup - 30/03/2025
Isabel Hardman presents highlights from Sunday morning’s political shows.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby gives his first interview since stepping down last year, and says he forgives John Smyth. Sentebale chair Sophie Chandauka accuses Prince Harry of ‘bullying at scale’. And Labour are questioned over immigration and the chancellor’s Spring Statement.
Produced by Joe Bedell-Brill.
Instant political analysis from the Spectator's top team of writers, including Michael Gove, Katy Balls, Isabel Hardman, James Heale, Cindy Yu and many others.
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