'Deluded Crawling': Minister Hit By Backlash For Saying US Is Britain's 'Friend' Despite Trump Tariffs

Jonathan Reynolds insisted the US was "our principal ally".A cabinet minister has been accused of “deluded crawling” after he insisted America remains the UK’s “friend and ally” despite Donald Trumpslapping a 10% tariff on British imports.Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds refused to criticise the US administration as negotiations continue over an economic deal between the two countries.Trump announced the “reciprocal” 10% surcharge – which is on top of 25% tariffs on all car and steel imports – at a White House press conference on Wednesday.He said America “has been looted, pillaged, raped and plundered, near and far by friend and foe alike” and now it was payback time.“Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years, but it is not going to happen anymore,” the president added.A Downing Street source said the government would “keep calm” in response and pointed out that the UK tariff was half the 20% rate Trump had imposed on imports from the EU.On Sky News this morning, Reynolds was at pains to stress the close relationship between the US and UK.He said: “America is a friend, America is our principal ally, our relationship is an incredibly strong economic one, but also a security one as well.”However, his warm words did not go down well on social media.On Bluesky, the verdict was pretty brutal.What a pathetic, spineless wanker.— Jack (@jacklikesfilms.bsky.social)2025-04-03T06:46:08.993ZDear Jonathan Reynolds: GET OFF YOUR KNEES!!!— Kevin (Des) Herbert (@jambodes.bsky.social)2025-04-03T06:56:49.161ZAstonishing denialism from the UK government. This makes us look weak and gullible not strong and resilient.— EagleOwl (@eagleowlsheila.bsky.social)2025-04-03T06:40:46.911Zfor the love of God, stop this sycophantic shit alreadywho exactly do Labour think they are appealing to with this?— James Morrison (@morralexand.bsky.social)2025-04-03T06:34:23.800ZThe reaction was just as negative over on X.Deluded crawling.— A.M.MacJ (@ammacj) April 3, 2025I get the need to be diplomatic but get a better line than this pathetic horse shit. https://t.co/gIDfotGBfP— John Smith (@JohnSmi21372434) April 3, 2025Related...Trump’s Tariffs On These 2 Islands Comes With An Absurd TwistNo.10 Vows To 'Keep Calm' And Carry On After Trump Slaps 10% Tariffs On UK ImportsDonald Trump Imposes 10% Tariffs On All British Goods Imported To US