US Thursday trade deals: Is UK going to be the first on Trump’s list?

US President Donald Trump is expected to announce a "major" trade deal with a “big, and highly respected country” today in what he described as the "first of many" agreements to come.Though the country has not been officially revealed, many US media houses like New York Times and Politico are speculating the deal to be finalised with Britain. The outlets said that the US president will be disclosing the deal at a press conference in the Oval Office at 10:00 am (local time).While the full details of the agreement remain unclear, it is not yet known whether the two countries have finalised a formal deal or are preparing to present a framework for negotiations.The move comes amid growing concerns over global economic stability, with the Bank of England widely expected to cut interest rates later today as a precaution against the effects of recent US tariff threats. Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on several trading partners last month, pausing some temporarily to allow room for negotiations.Britain, meanwhile, has been actively seeking new trade partnerships since leaving the European Union. Just this week, it secured a free-trade agreement with India, the largest such pact it has signed since Brexit.UK Prime minister Keir Starmer visited Washington in February to discuss trade and tariffs, and sources say he returned optimistic about the possibility of striking a deal with the US. Trump praised Starmer at the time as a "tough negotiator" and hinted at a “great deal” ahead.In a symbolic gesture of strengthening ties, Starmer also extended an invitation to Trump for a second state visit to the UK in September to meet King Charles III — an unprecedented honour for a foreign leader.Trump, who previously visited Britain on a state visit in 2019, has often spoken warmly of the country. His mother was born in Scotland, where he owns a golf course, and he has frequently expressed admiration for the British royal family.