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Government ministers and leading parliamentarians have expressed alarm that the United Kingdom's series of deals with Donald Trump are "built on sand." This comes after revelations that a so-called "milestone" deal on medicines, which promises zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS increasing its costs, lacks any detailed agreement beyond limited headline terms outlined by government press releases.

A Deal Without Detail

The deal on drug tariffs, promoted as a "significant" achievement, exists as an "broad understanding" without detailed provisions. Observers point out that the public statements from the UK and US governments present the deal in sharply different terms. The British version focuses on securing "zero per cent tariffs" as a unique achievement, while the American announcement dwells on the agreement for the NHS to pay significantly more for new medications.

"There is a serious risk that the UK government has made commitments to increase medicine costs in return for nothing more than a verbal promise from President Trump," said David Henig, a trade expert. "We know he has form for not honouring his word."

Wider Concerns Amidst a Suspended Agreement

Anxieties have been amplified by Washington's action to pause the major technology agreement, which was previously called "a transformative pact" in the bilateral relationship. The US pointed to a lack of progress from the UK on reducing other tariffs as the reason for the pause.

Additionally, concessions promised for British farmers as part of an May trade agreement have not been formally signed off by the US, despite a imminent January deadline. "It is our belief that the US has failed to approve the agreed beef export quotas," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Uncertainty Among Officials

Behind the scenes, ministers have admitted unease that the government's deals with Washington are unstable and unpredictable. One minister reportedly said the series of agreements as "resting on shaky ground," while another described the situation as the "new normal" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "additional layers of volatility and unpredictability."

Layla Moran, chair of the health select committee, remarked: "The only thing more surprising than Trump's temper tantrums is the UK government's credulous faith that his administration is a trustworthy negotiator. The NHS is not a bargaining chip."

Official Reassurances and Concrete Outcomes

Officials have sought to reduce the risk of the US backing out of the pharmaceuticals deal. One source suggested the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been lobbying for the agreement, seeking certainty on imports and pricing, making it more concrete than the paused tech deal.

Officials acknowledge that instability is part and parcel of dealing with the Trump administration. However, they argue that the UK has secured concrete outcomes for businesses, such as preferential tariff rates compared to other nations. "Securing 25% steel tariffs, which is better than the rate for the rest of the world, is a concrete advantage," one official said.

Nevertheless, delays have surfaced in carrying out the initial US-UK accord. Promised quotas on beef exports have yet to be finalized, and the commitment to "remove tariffs on British steel and aluminium" has is still pending, with tariffs staying at 25%.

Moving forward, the two sides have planned to recommence talks on the paused tech prosperity deal in January, following what were described as "productive" meetings between UK and US officials in Washington.