LONDON — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will deliver a stark rebuke of globalization on Monday, declaring it a failed model and signaling a pivot toward economic nationalism. The Labour leader, while critical of President Trump’s aggressive tariff measures, has privately conceded understanding of their rationale. His upcoming policy speech is expected to outline protective industrial strategies to shield British businesses from global trade disruptions, reflecting a broader ideological shift within his government.
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The prime minister will declare an end to globalisation and admit that it has failed millions of voters as the fallout from President Trump’s tariffs reverberates around the world.
In his first significant intervention since the United States imposed sweeping charges on imports, Sir Keir Starmer will say tomorrow that the seismic global economic effects prove the government must “move further and faster” to boost growth with supply-side reforms.
Later this week he and Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, will make pro-growth announcements, including easing regulations on electric car manufacturers and bringing forward parts of the government’s industrial strategy.
Reeves is due to hold an “economic and financial dialogue” with India on Wednesday to try to hasten a trade deal. Efforts are also being made to secure a new agreement with Australia.
The prime minister will argue that tariffs are the wrong response, but will also say he understands Trump’s economic nationalism and why it is popular with voters who believe they have seen no benefits from free trade and mass immigration.
A Downing Street official said: “Trump has done something that we don’t agree with but there’s a reason why people are behind him on this. The world has changed, globalisation is over and we are now in a new era. We’ve got to demonstrate that our approach, a more active Labour government, a more reformist government, can provide the answers for people in every part of this country.”