22 January 2025 , 06:15
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Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders on Monday - including directing the US to again withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement - which will deal a major blow to the UK
Donald Trump will look to "undermine" the UK following his controversial withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement, according to an expert.
President Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the US to again withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the US from its closest allies - including the UK.
Trump’s action, hours after he was sworn in to a second term, echoed his directive in 2017, when he announced that the US would abandon the global Paris accord. The pact is aimed at limiting long-term global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels or, failing that, keeping temperatures at least well below 2C above pre-industrial levels.
His order says the Paris accord is among a number of international agreements that don’t reflect US values and “steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.”
Instead of joining a global agreement, “the United States’ successful track record of advancing both economic and environmental objectives should be a model for other countries,’’ Trump said. Below are four actions Trump has taken that could "undermine" America’s relationship with the UK, according to experts.
Withdraw from Paris climate agreement
According to the Head of Department of International Politics at City, University of London, Professor Inderjeet Parmar, Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate act is designed to "undermine" the UK.
He told The Mirror: "Donald Trump has already withdrawn from the Paris climate accords once again; all this will help do is undermine Labour government from the Right."
Free trade deal with NHS
Professor Parmar believes a free trade deal with the NHS could see increased drug prices and open up the healthcare system to more private operators. "A free trade deal with the USA could impact the NHS - open it up to private providers and to big pharma and increase drug prices", he said.
Increase military spending
Trump demanding an increase in military spending would "impact" Labour’s desire to spend more at home - as they could be forced to find additional money to help aid Ukraine. "Donald Trump will demand increased military spending which would impact Labours domestic spending plans and investment; trump cuts in military aid to Ukraine might require more U.K. spending to aid Ukraine", the expert said.
Andrew Rudalevige, Professor of Government at Bowdoin College, believes Trump "forcing the burden" of defending against Russia onto countries such as the UK." He said: "In backing away from US support for Ukraine, and thus forcing the burden of defending against Russian aggression onto European actors instead. Second, by continuing to raise the ante of what he thinks is the correct contribution to defence spending for NATO’s members in order to guarantee US involvement in the alliance.
"You may recall that having talked about 2% of GDP during the campaign he started floating 5% instead (a target the US itself does not meet); I suspect if member countries did in fact hit the 5% mark, he’d simply raise it to 7.5%."
Closer ties with China
Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently went on a charm offensive to China as she tried to bring more investment to the UK, however, with Trump’s arrival this could threaten their relationship as he looks to "distance" the US from China. "(The) UK. seeks closer ties to China for economic reasons while Donald Trump may demand distance and sanctions and tariffs."
Mr Rudalevige also believes tariffs will likely result in a "new trade war", he added: "Tariff policy, with Britain as at least a secondary combatant in a new trade war. Trump’s policies will likely raise the cost of doing business with the US in ways that will be inflationary for both countries."