Context:

Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain successfully negotiated a trade deal with the United States, despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks during the nine-week process. The deal includes the rollback of tariffs on certain British exports such as autos and steel, although other tariffs remain in place. Starmer's strategic patience and refusal to criticize President Trump, even when Britain was initially subjected to a 10 percent tariff, proved vital in maintaining diplomatic relations and ultimately securing the agreement. Key figures in the negotiation included Peter Mandelson, Britain's ambassador to Washington, and Howard Lutnick, the U.S. Commerce Secretary, who played critical roles in finalizing the deal. The announcement of the agreement caught British officials off guard, as it coincided with Starmer watching a soccer match, leading to a scramble to coordinate the media response.

Dive Deeper:

• Prime Minister Keir Starmer's pursuit of a groundbreaking trade deal with the United States involved a complex negotiation process, initiated by a personal invitation from King Charles III to President Trump for a state visit. The deal, announced via a televised phone call, rolled back tariffs on some British exports while leaving others in place.

• Despite several setbacks, including Britain's initial inclusion in a 10 percent tariff, Starmer maintained a diplomatic approach, avoiding public criticism of Trump, which he believed would not have helped in achieving a better deal. His efforts were ultimately rewarded with a trade agreement that benefits both countries.

• The negotiations were marked by the challenge of dealing with a U.S. administration that displayed a split between traditional trade negotiators and a president whose decisions were unpredictable. Starmer's relationship-building with Trump on other issues, like Ukraine, likely contributed to the positive outcome.

• Key to the negotiation's success was the involvement of Peter Mandelson, Britain's ambassador to Washington, who emphasized technological collaboration between the two nations, and Howard Lutnick, whose influence over Trump was pivotal in securing the president's approval for the deal.

• The announcement of the deal surprised British officials, who were unprepared for the timing as it coincided with Starmer watching his favorite soccer team. This led to logistical challenges in coordinating the media coverage, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the negotiation process.