On Thursday Downing Street spokesperson said the government’s position on arms sales to Israel remains unchanged.
“We've always said that we keep it under review, as per our legislation. We will always follow the process in relation to our legislation. But there's been no update to the previous assessments that have been made”, they told reporters.
They added: “We will always follow the domestic legal process in relation to arms export licences, as we do for all countries around the world.”
Meanwhile, in Parliament yesterday, the government faced calls to suspend all arms sales to Israel following the resumption of the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
The Green Party’s co-leader Carla Denyer accused Israel of “genocide”, during the debate.
But her assertions were rejected by the Middle East minister, Hamish Falconer, who said that “determinations of breaches of international law are for competent courts and we support those courts in their work.”
However, Falconer also said the UK was “deeply concerned about the resumption of hostilities in Gaza.
“The UK does not support an expansion of Israel’s military operations. Continued fighting and more bloodshed is in nobody’s interest. All parties, including Israel, must observe international humanitarian law. We urge all parties to return to dialogue and ceasefire negotiations, ensuring the return of all who have endured unimaginable suffering. It is clear that this conflict cannot be won by bombs and bullets, but by diplomacy”, he added.
Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister held a meeting with business leaders reacting to the announcement that Donald Trump had decided to impose tariffs on British goods coming to the US.
“Last night, the President of the United States, acted for his country. That is his mandate. Today, I will act in Britain’s interests, with mine”, he said.
He added: “Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal [with the US], one that strengthens our existing trading relationship – they continue, and we will fight for the best deal for Britain. Nonetheless, I do want to be clear I will only strike a deal if it is in the national interest and if it is the right thing to do for the security of working people.
Starmer went on to say that he would work with business leaders to assess how best to respond to Trump’s measures but said that “nothing is off the table”.
“We have a range of levers at our disposal, and we will continue our work with businesses across the country to understand their assessment of these options”, he went on.
Trump’s announcement on global tariffs – which he claimed were retaliatory to other countries across the globe – hit others more severely than the UK.
European Union countries were subject to 20 per cent tariffs while Israel was handed a 17 per cent levy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters this morning that Trump’s decision to impose tariffs, was “a major blow to the world economy.”
“I deeply regret this choice”, which she said would have “immense consequences”.
“The global economy will massively suffer. Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise further protectionism. The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe, also for the most vulnerable countries which are now subject to the highest US tariffs.”
Yesterday, Trump said April 2, 2025 would be remembered as “Liberation Day … the day American industry was reborn, the day America's destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to make America wealthy again”.
In a speech at the Rose Garden of the White House he told the assembled crowd: "For decades our country has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far both friend and foe alike. American steel workers, auto workers, farmers and skilled craftsmen – we have a lot of them here with us today – they really suffered gravely.
“They watched in anguish as foreign leaders have stolen our jobs. Foreign cheaters have ransacked our factories and foreign scavengers have torn apart our once beautiful American dream.”
The economic measures announced by Trump are set to come into effect from April 5.
(R-L) Warren Stephens, nominee to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, Thomas Barrack, nominee to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, and Tilman Fertitta, nominee to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Italy, (Image: Getty)Getty Images