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Government ministers and leading parliamentarians have issued warnings that the United Kingdom's series of deals with Donald Trump are "built on sand." This comes after revelations that a much-touted deal on medicines, which promises zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS increasing its costs, lacks any formal legal text beyond vague headline terms outlined by government press releases.

An Agreement in Principle Only

The US-UK pharmaceuticals agreement, promoted as a "generational" achievement, remains an "broad understanding" without a signed legal text. Critics have noted that the official announcements from the UK and US governments present the deal in divergent terms. The British version focuses on securing "duty-free access" as a unique achievement, while the American announcement dwells on the agreement for the NHS to pay higher prices for new medications.

"We face a genuine possibility that the UK government has promised concessions to raise drug prices in return for nothing more than a verbal promise from President Trump," said David Henig, a trade expert. "We know he has a record of not following through on agreements."

A Pattern of Unreliability

Worries have been heightened by Washington's action to put on ice the £31bn "tech prosperity deal", which was previously heralded as "a generational step-change" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a lack of progress from the UK on addressing wider trade issues as the reason for the pause.

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

Anxiety Behind Closed Doors

Privately, ministers have expressed concerns that the government's deals with Washington are unstable and unpredictable. One minister described the series of agreements as "resting on shaky ground," while another characterized the situation as the "prevailing condition" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "increased uncertainty and instability."

Layla Moran, chair of the health select committee, remarked: "The only thing more surprising than the US approach is the UK government's credulous faith that his administration is a reliable partner. The NHS is of vital importance."

A Mixed Picture of Success and Setback

Ministry sources 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 advocating for the agreement, wanting clarity on imports and pricing, making it of tangible value than the paused tech deal.

Officials concede that volatility is part and parcel of dealing with the Trump administration. However, they contend that the UK has obtained tangible results for businesses, such as lower steel tariffs 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.

Yet, delays have surfaced in carrying out the May tariff agreement. Promised quotas on beef exports have yet to be finalized, and the assurance to "reduce steel tariffs to zero" has not been fulfilled, with tariffs fixed at 25%.

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