More than half (59 percent) of Brits opposed the tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month compared to 15 percent backing them. The opposition included a net 21 percent of Reform UK supporters, a party seen as more closely aligned to the U.S. president, meaning reduced automobile, steel and aluminium tariffs are likely to be well received.
Americans were also opposed to Trump’s tariffs by 45 percent to 34 percent, though Trump voters last year backed their introduction by 67 percent to 13 percent. Nonetheless, to reach an agreement, there was a bipartisan consensus on removing the blanket 10 percent tariffs on U.K. goods, including from a net 32 percent of Trump backers, which has yet to be agreed.
The terms of the deal appear to have skirted the most contentious aspect of negotiations.
The deal will make it easier for exporters of high quality American meat to sell their produce in the U.K., but British officials refused to bow to pressure to drop food standards.
There was a strong aversion to allowing chlorinated chicken and hormone treated beef sales in the U.K. as part of any trade agreement
Just 18 percent supported removing the ban on selling chlorinated chicken compared to 60 percent opposition, which cut across all voting intentions. Similarly, only 19 percent supported allowing hormone-treated beef compared to 57 percent against.
