The world is bracing itself as US president Donald Trump prepares to announce sweeping tariffs to reshape the global economy in what he is calling "liberation day".
The UK is not expected to be spared from the new taxes as Trump is set to impose tariffs of up to 20% on all imports into the US, affecting Britain's £60billion worth of exports.
A White House spokeswoman said, The Times reports: "There is one country that the president cares most about and it is the US."
She added the tariffs, set to be revealed later today, aimed to "restore the golden age of America".
But the taxes will provoke retaliatory measures, including from the EU which promised a "strong plan" in response with its own tariffs on €18billion worth of US products such as metals, agriculture produce and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Meanwhile the UK is not likely to react aggressively, with Sir Keir Starmer suggesting a "calm and pragmatic" approach, hinting talks on a UK-US economic deal are at an "advanced stage".
Foreign secretary David Lammy warned the Commons the UK must "prepare for the worst" and ensure its businesses are shielded with "the best support" during "what will be a turbulent economic time".
Trump's tariffs are expected to be effective immediately with no grace period given, with the White House advising the only way countries could avoid them was to relocate their businesses to the US.
