Keir Starmer has been told to get off the fence and “take sides” in the looming trade war between the US and EU.
Sandro Gozi, the European Parliament’s “Brexit reset” point man, has warned the Prime Minister he will “have to make a choice” between the two alliances.
It comes after Donald Trump said that he would “definitely” impose tariffs on EU imports, and described the bloc as an “atrocity” on trade.
The US President has suggested that the UK could avoid similar levies.
Speaking to The i Paper Mr Gozi said that Sir Keir must decide whether to “try to accommodate a Trump administration” or side with Brussels in making the US President “understand that tension, conflict are not in the interest neither of Washington nor the EU”.
“At the moment, the UK will have to make a choice,” he said. And I don’t think that Trump considers the special relationship as an issue.”
He suggested that this could include joining the EU in retaliatory tariffs against the US.
Sir Keir has insisted that he wants to maintain “open and strong trading relations” with the US.
During a dinner in Brussels with EU leaders on Monday, the Prime Minister called for the EU and the UK to deepen “industrial collaboration” on defence.
Downing Street has confirmed Sir Keir will welcome European leaders to the UK on 19 May for a summit to forge closer ties as part of his plans to “reset” relations with the EU.
But critics say he is trying to unpick Brexit and have urged a tilt to the US and securing a trade deal with Mr Trump.