Posted on 03/31/2025 3:15:57 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Sir Keir Starmer’s attempts to strike a free trade deal with the US are at risk over a free speech row.
In a highly unusual step, the US state department on Sunday night issued a statement saying it was “concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom” in relation to the case of an anti-abortion campaigner.
It said it was “monitoring” the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, who was prosecuted for holding a sign near a Bournemouth abortion clinic reading: “Here to talk if you want.”
The state department is responsible for America’s foreign policy, and would not usually comment on the domestic policies of another country.
Asked about the comments, a source familiar with trade negotiations told The Telegraph there should be “no free trade without free speech”, a stance which is thought to have become a point of contention between the two nations.
Sir Keir has been trying to strike a trade deal with the US since coming to power. However, the Government is braced for Mr Trump’s long-promised global tariffs expected to come into force on Wednesday, as hopes fade for a deal before the US president’s so-called “Liberation Day”.
Mr Trump confirmed on Sunday that the tariffs would hit “all countries”, prompting markets to tumble.
After a phone call between Mr Trump and Sir Keir at the weekend, No 10 conceded on Monday that tariffs would likely hit Britain.
An official from the US bureau of democracy, human rights and labour met with Ms Tossici-Bolt during a recent visit to the UK.
In a statement, the branch of the state department said: “US-UK relations share a mutual respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, as Vice-President Vance has said, we are concerned about freedom of expression in the United Kingdom.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
This article is jumbled confusion.
Who’s demanding free speech? Us?
If so that’s fine.
Is Britain saying they’ll take tariffs because they don’t allow free speech?
I’m guessing “free speech” means “state censorship.”
Excellent!
We should shove Zelensky up Starmer's rear, they'd both love it.
“The state department is responsible for America’s foreign policy, and would not usually comment on the domestic policies of another country.”
Is this meant to be satire?
I’ve been watching many videos of UK madness as of late. Cops taking stickers they deem offensive off of people’s cars. Police ignoring a person openly defecating in a public park. All the muzzies having their way with zero repercussions.... Britain is going down folks, without a doubt.
In George Orwells novel 1984 one had total free speech in support of "Big Brother" which was the socialist government. Deviate from this and the full weight of The State came down on you.
George Orwell was a Sage.
You can protest in favor of war against “Eurasia”.
We want to be a rich nation. Since tariffs will make us rich we should hope Starmer defies Vance and the restricts speech even more. Let the money roll.
Or is the speech that Vance is concerned about the censorship of the US social media giants?
I kinda like it. Starmer squeezes Google, which triggers Vance to impose more and greater tariffs, allowing us to get rich off of censorship that isn’t even being imposed on us.
Britain is a spiritual wasteland. It is ground zero for godless, secular humanism.
France?
Okay,now do France next.
Great Britain is a muslim nation. We should cut all ties with them.
Thirty years ago Britain was scared of Bin Mahfouz, the homosexual Saudi millionaire who had the run of London and could buy any Brit he encountered, and any property in the City. Since then, it has only gotten worse, and the British are now supplicants in a nation of cowards.
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