Hello, I'm Susan Hume and this is the Yesterday in Parliament podcast.

On Thursday the 3rd of April, MPs were surveying the damage after President Trump's announcement of blanket tariffs on all goods imported into the USA.

A new study has confirmed that we in Britain like to use what the researchers call politisms.

We prefer a bright not to worry, to the more frank, this is a disaster.

Apparently this can confuse foreigners, but for the government it's a strategy they hope will pay off

in the face of President Trump's blanket

import tariffs. The business secretary Jonathan Reynolds admitted that 10% tariff on UK goods

was disappointing, but perhaps surprisingly... I would also like to take this opportunity to

thank my American counterparts. He was referring to the US negotiators he'd

been talking to about a trade deal, which would hopefully do away with the tariffs.

I can confirm to the House that those talks are ongoing and will remain so. It is this government's

view that a deal is not just possible, it is favourable to both countries,

and that this course of action serves Britain's interests as an open-facing trading nation.

And to help achieve that deal, he was keen for everyone to stay polite and not start bad-mouthing the US or threatening a trade war.

Having said that, he did slip in a silky threat of his own.

However, we do reserve the right to take any action we deem necessary if a deal is not secured.

To enable the UK to have every option open to us in future, I am today launching a request

for input on the implications for British businesses of possible

retaliatory action. His conservative opposite number, Andrew Griffith, started politely enough,

agreeing that this was the time for calm words and cool heads. But he couldn't resist to dig it

claims the Prime Minister had forged a good relationship with President Trump.

This is also a moment for honesty and telling the truth.

...