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Ministers and senior MPs have raised concerns that the United Kingdom's series of deals with Donald Trump are "built on sand." This comes after revelations that a recently announced deal on drug pricing, which promises zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS facing higher prices, lacks any underlying contract beyond vague headline terms contained within government press releases.

Lacking Legal Footing

The arrangement concerning medicines, hailed as a "significant" achievement, remains an "agreement in principle" without detailed provisions. Critics have noted that the public statements from the UK and US governments present the deal in divergent terms. The British version emphasizes securing "zero per cent tariffs" as a unique achievement, while the American announcement concentrates on the agreement for the NHS to pay higher prices for new medications.

"There is a serious risk that the UK government has agreed to terms to increase medicine costs in return for only a verbal promise from President Trump," stated David Henig, a trade expert. "It is documented he has a tendency for not honouring his word."

Broader Instability and a Paused Tech Deal

Concerns have been intensified by Washington's action to pause the major technology agreement, which was previously called "a transformative pact" in the bilateral relationship. The US pointed to a failure to advance from the UK on reducing other tariffs as the reason for the pause.

In a separate development, concessions agreed to for British farmers as part of an May trade agreement have yet to be formally approved by the US, despite a fast-approaching January deadline. "It is our belief that the US has not yet signed off the reciprocal tariff rate quota," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Anxiety Behind Closed Doors

Behind the scenes, ministers have admitted unease that the government's agreements with the US are flimsy and unreliable. One minister described the series of agreements as "built on sand," while another framed the situation as the "prevailing condition" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "increased uncertainty and instability."

Layla Moran, a senior MP on the health committee, stated: "The only thing more surprising than the US approach is the UK government's optimistic assumption that his administration is a good faith actor. The NHS is too precious to be gambled with."

A Mixed Picture of Success and Setback

Officials have sought to reduce the chances of the US backing out of the pharmaceuticals deal. One source noted the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been pushing for the agreement, seeking certainty on imports and pricing, making it more concrete than the paused tech deal.

Officials admit that volatility is a feature of dealing with the Trump administration. However, they contend that the UK has secured concrete outcomes for businesses, such as preferential tariff rates compared to other nations. "Securing 25% steel tariffs, which is more favorable than the rate for the rest of the world, is not flimsy," one official said.

Yet, problems have arisen in carrying out the broader trade deal. Promised quotas on beef exports have failed to be approved, and the commitment to "reduce steel tariffs to zero" has is still pending, with tariffs fixed at 25%.

Looking ahead, the two sides have scheduled to restart talks on the suspended digital agreement in January, following what were described as "productive" meetings between UK and US officials in Washington.