United Kingdom in the Eye of the Storm

By: Alfredo García Almeida

Fearing Russia, the United Kingdom is strengthening its alliance with the United States. As part of an increase in military spending, London will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines and create an army ready to fight in a war in Europe.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom "cannot ignore the threat posed by Russia," while committing to the most radical changes in British defense since the end of the Cold War more than three decades ago.

"I believe the best way to deter conflict is to prepare for it," Starmer declared. He made these remarks at a shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland, where he announced the largest military investment in the UK in four decades.

In his speech, the British head of government expressed full support for all proposals included in the Strategic Defense Review, a document prepared by independent experts commissioned by the Ministry of Defense detailing these reforms.

Trump welcomed the move, exempting London from the tariff increase on aluminum and steel from 25% to 50%.

"I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to allow the implementation of the Economic Prosperity Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom of May 8, 2025 (EPD), and consequently, to grant different treatment to imports of steel and aluminum articles and their derivatives from the United Kingdom," Trump stated in the explanatory section of his decree.

In the directive, he stated that import tariffs on aluminum and steel from the UK "will remain at 25%."

As of July 9, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, may increase the applicable tariff rates to 50% if he determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with the relevant aspects of the EPD.

Trump made this announcement while preparing to authorize the sale of a century-old U.S. steel company to the Japanese group Nippon Steel.

The president presents the deal as an "alliance," but details of the operation have not been disclosed.

During his campaign, Trump had stated that he would not allow the sale of the company to Nippon Steel.

"Today, we are here to celebrate a landmark agreement that will ensure this historic American company remains American," Trump told workers. He affirmed that the 50% tariffs on imported steel "will further secure the steel industry in the United States."

"At 25%, they can bypass that barrier, but at 50%, they will no longer be able to," the billionaire said.