Sir Keir Starmer has said the government has been preparing “for all eventualities” ahead of Donald Trump announcing global tariffs later on Wednesday.

The US president is set to announce details of fresh tariffs on imports into the US after he said all countries will be targeted in his bid to “rebalance” trade agreements.

Mr Trump is expected to announce 20% tariffs on most US imports on what he has called “Liberation Day”.

Politics latest: PM admits ‘pressures bearing down on businesses and working people’

Sir Keir told Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs): “We’ve been preparing for all eventualities ahead of the confirmation of US tariffs later today.

“Let me be clear with the House: a trade war is in nobody’s interest, and the country deserves, and we will take, a calm, pragmatic approach.

“That is why constructive talks are progressing to agree a wider economic prosperity deal with the US.”

He said the government is working with all industries and sectors in the UK that are likely to be impacted.

The prime minister added his government “will rule nothing out” as he again hinted at retaliatory tariffs.

However, he said he believes the UK’s interests are “best served by calmly trying to secure a deal”.

On Monday, Sir Keir told Sky News political editor Beth Rigby US-UK trade talks are “well advanced” and “rapid progress” had been made.

However, he admitted it is likely “there will be tariffs” as negotiators had not managed to fend them off in time.

At PMQs, Sir Keir rejected jumping into a trade war with the US, saying: “That cannot be the first response of the United Kingdom.”

The impact of potential retaliatory tariffs from the EU on Northern Ireland was also raised, with DUP MP Gavin Robinson reminding the prime minister not to forget the unique trade situation in Northern Ireland.

He said while exports from Northern Ireland are UK exports, imports to the country could be hit by tariffs imposed by the EU as it shares a border with the European bloc.

Read more:
Trump tariffs latest – Uncertainty around world on ‘Liberation Day’
Starmer rejects ‘knee-jerk’ response to Trump tariffs

The Belfast East MP asked whether government trade teams are attempting to exempt Northern Ireland from any EU action.

Sir Keir reacted by saying what is needed is to be “calm and pragmatic”.

He added the business secretary had spoken to the Northern Ireland government on Wednesday morning, “because this is a serious issue and we need to work together to resolve the interests of everybody in Northern Ireland”.

Last week, Mr Trump said he was open to carving out deals with countries seeking to avoid US tariffs, but those agreements would be negotiated after 2 April.

He previously said he “may give a lot of countries breaks, but it’s reciprocal”, adding: “We might be even nicer than that.”

More than 400 Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations are calling on Sir Keir Starmer to launch an inquiry he promised into potential British involvement in the Golden Temple Massacre.

The groups have signed a letter that was sent to the prime minister urging him to follow through on a commitment made in 2022.

The calls relate to questions around what part the UK and British special forces played in the 1984 killings, in which hundreds of Sikhs died after the Indian military entered the temple complex where separatists had sought refuge.

Politics latest: PM admits ‘pressures’ as bills rise

In 2014, the UK government accidentally revealed Margaret Thatcher was aware of the Indian state’s intention to raid the temple and in the months before the raid, a British SAS officer provided advice to the Indian government.

A subsequent investigation commissioned by David Cameron found that a single officer provided advice – and there was “no evidence of UK government involvement in the operation itself”.

However, this investigation was criticised as a cover-up due to its limited scope and quick timeframe.

In 2022, Sir Keir wrote to all Gurdwaras and Sikh organisations, saying: “A future Labour government will open an independent inquiry into Britain’s military role in the Indian army’s 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is important that we are open, transparent and above reproach in understanding any role the UK may have played in such events.

“This is something I know is important to our Sikh communities here and throughout the world.”

However, an announcement on the inquiry is yet to materialise.

In the letter sent to the prime minister by the Sikh Federation, seen by Sky News, Sir Keir is told: “If what is eventually proposed by a Labour government fails to deliver the ‘truth’ as promised by you this will have massive political ramifications for the Sikh community’s support for Labour in future elections for many generations.”

The federation says an inquiry “must” be announced by 31 May.

Read more:
Groups ‘disappointed’ by silence on massacre
Sikh Activists fear for their life

In a letter to Labour MPs, the Sikh Federation also called on them to put pressure on the government to start an inquiry.

The organisation also said it had heard “extremely worrying rumours” that the Foreign, Commonwealth And Development Office has been under pressure from the Indian government to “avoid or limit” an independent inquiry.

It added: “Civil servants are understood to be advising that a public inquiry is expensive and could damage relations with India.”

The UK is currently trying to negotiate a new trade agreement with India in the wake of Brexit. Attempts by the Conservative government failed due to a difference in position over visas.

There is a campaign among some in the Sikh community for an independent nation to be established – known as Khalistan – out of parts of the Punjab region in northern India.

👉 Follow Trump 100 on your podcast app 👈

These efforts are strongly opposed by Narendra Modhi’s Hindu nationalist BJP movement.

The FCDO and Downing Street have been approached for comment.