Downing Street is braced for a major hit to the UK economy in the wake of Donald Trump’s plans to impose sweeping tariffs on US imports from around the world. Keir Starmer is resigned to the fact that the UK will not be spared from the US President’s import tax plans despite frantic last-minute attempts to secure a carve-out under an economic trade deal.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held “productive” discussions about “an economic prosperity deal” on a call with US President Donald Trump Sunday evening ahead of a crunch week in which the government hopes to carve out exemptions from looming US tariffs.

The two leaders said negotiations will continue this week and agreed to stay in touch in the coming days, according to a Downing Street statement.