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Ministers and senior MPs have expressed alarm that the United Kingdom's series of deals with Donald Trump are "lacking a solid foundation." This comes after revelations that a recently announced deal on pharmaceutical tariffs, which commits to zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS facing higher prices, lacks any detailed agreement beyond limited headline terms published in government press releases.

An Agreement in Principle Only

The arrangement concerning medicines, hailed as a "significant" achievement, exists as an "broad understanding" without detailed provisions. It has been highlighted that the public statements from the UK and US governments frame the deal in divergent terms. The British version emphasizes securing "zero per cent tariffs" as a unique achievement, while the American announcement highlights the agreement for the NHS to pay significantly more for new medications.

"We face a genuine possibility that the UK government has agreed to terms to raise drug prices in return for little more than a pledge from President Trump," said David Henig, a trade expert. "We know he has a tendency for not following through on agreements."

Broader Instability and a Paused Tech Deal

Worries have been heightened by Washington's move to suspend the major technology agreement, which was previously described as "a generational step-change" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a lack of progress from the UK on reducing other tariffs as the reason for the pause.

Additionally, concessions secured for British farmers as part of an May trade agreement have not been formally signed off by the US, despite a imminent January deadline. "It is our belief that the US has failed to approve the agreed beef export quotas," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Private Ministerial Concerns

Privately, ministers have voiced worries that the government's US-UK accords are unstable and unpredictable. One minister was quoted as stating the series of agreements as "built on sand," while another framed the situation as the "new normal" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "greater risk and fluctuation."

Layla Moran, a senior MP on the health committee, stated: "Perhaps most shocking than Trump's temper tantrums is the UK government's optimistic assumption that his administration is a good faith actor. The NHS is not a bargaining chip."

Government Downplays Risks, Points to Gains

Ministry sources have downplayed the chances of the US backing out of the pharmaceuticals deal. One source suggested the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been lobbying for the agreement, wanting clarity on imports and pricing, making it less abstract than the paused tech deal.

Officials concede that unpredictability is part and parcel of dealing with the current US leadership. However, they argue that the UK has secured concrete outcomes for businesses, such as preferential tariff rates compared to other nations. "Our achievement of 25% steel tariffs, which is better than the rate for the rest of the world, is not flimsy," one official said.

Yet, delays have surfaced in enacting the broader trade deal. Promised reciprocal agricultural allowances have yet to be finalized, and the commitment to "reduce steel tariffs to zero" has not been fulfilled, with tariffs remaining at 25%.

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