The production and supply of medicines could be impacted by the tariffs placed on the UK, the health secretary has warned.
Wes Streeting said Britain “already had issues with medicines production and supply internationally” but warned that this could be made worse by the 10 per cent tariffs imposed by the US.
Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday morning, he said: “We are constantly watching and acting on this situation to try and get medicines into the country to make sure we’ve got availability, to show some flexibility in terms of how medicines are dispensed to deal with shortages.
“But whether it’s medicines, whether it’s parts for manufacturing, whether it’s the ability of businesses in this country to turn a profit — this is an extremely turbulent situation. It’s unprecedented in terms of global trade and the steps that the United States has taken.”
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Streeting said a “number of factors” are in play in ensuring people can access medicines.
He added: “There have been challenges in terms of manufacturing, challenges in terms of distribution and if we start to see tariffs kicking in, that’s another layer of challenge. But we watch this situation extremely closely.
“We work on a daily basis to make sure that we have the medicines supply this country needs.
“Where we do see disruptions to supply, we also take steps at the dispensing end to show the flexibility needed to make sure people can access the prescriptions they need.
“But, as I say, whether it’s medicines, whether it’s parts for manufacturing, whether it’s global trade, more generally, this is an extremely volatile and turbulent backdrop for the country, and that’s why the prime minister, the trade secretary, the entire cabinet are focused on this and making sure that we’re taking the steps needed here at home to protect British industries and Britain’s public services”.
The prime minister has insisted that he will only sign a trade deal with the US that is in the UK’s “national interest”, as he seeks to combat Donald Trump’s tariff regime which has prompted economic turbulence across the world.
Speaking during a visit to a Jaguar Land Rover factory in Solihull on Monday, Keir Starmer sought to reassure the public there would not be a trade deal at any price.
“I will only strike a deal if it’s in the national interest”, he commented. “That’s my priority — strength abroad, security and renewal at home.”
The PM said: “This is a moment for cool heads; nobody wins from a trade war, you know that.
“But it’s also a moment for urgency, because we’ve got to rise together as a nation to the great challenge of our age – and it is the great challenge – which is to renew Britain so we’re secure in this era of global instability.”
Trump has showed no sign of changing course, urging people to “be strong, courageous and patient”, promising that “greatness will be the result”.
The president has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on US imports of British goods, along with the 25 per cent tariff on cars and separate import taxes for steel and aluminium.
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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Source: Politics
