Metal to Peddle

Faced with the possibility that the Trumpster and his head-tribble will impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, including those from the mainland, Team Starmer has reacted in typically patriotic fashion. In the first place there will be no retaliation: a spokesbeing proclaimed that the trading reciprocity between the USA and its doddering client state is fair and balanced, thereby evoking Fox News in slogan as well as in veracity. In the second place, the spokesbeing made clear that the UK's national interest will be defended where it's right to do so, by contrast to that unconditional and unequivocal defence which the British national interest would otherwise have the right to expect. Doubtless this very point was made forcefully by the Minister for Transatlantic Bridges when the Trumpster's secretary of commerce phoned him for advice last weekend.