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Ministers and senior MPs have raised concerns that the United Kingdom's negotiated accords with Donald Trump are "fundamentally unstable." This follows revelations that a recently announced deal on pharmaceutical tariffs, which promises zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS paying more, lacks any underlying contract beyond vague headline terms outlined by government press releases.

Lacking Legal Footing

The US-UK pharmaceuticals agreement, hailed as a "landmark" achievement, exists as an "agreement in principle" without a signed legal text. It has been highlighted that the official announcements from the UK and US governments present the deal in sharply different terms. The British version celebrates securing "zero per cent tariffs" as a unique achievement, while the American announcement concentrates on 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 only a assurance from President Trump," stated David Henig, a trade policy analyst. "It is documented he has a tendency for not keeping promises."

Broader Instability and a Paused Tech Deal

Concerns have been amplified by Washington's action to pause the £31bn "tech prosperity deal", which was previously called "a generational step-change" in the bilateral relationship. The US pointed to a insufficient movement 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 still not been formally signed off by the US, despite a fast-approaching January deadline. "We have been informed that that the US has not yet signed off the reciprocal tariff rate quota," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Uncertainty Among Officials

Privately, ministers have voiced worries that the government's deals with Washington are flimsy and unreliable. One minister described the series of agreements as "resting on shaky ground," while another framed the situation as the "new normal" 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 trustworthy negotiator. The NHS is not a bargaining chip."

Official Reassurances and Concrete Outcomes

Officials have sought to reduce the risk of the US reneging on 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 of tangible value than the paused tech deal.

Officials concede that instability is inherent in dealing with the Trump administration. However, they maintain that the UK has secured concrete outcomes for businesses, such as reduced duties on automobiles 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.

Nevertheless, delays have arisen in implementing the May tariff agreement. Promised reciprocal agricultural allowances have not materialized, and the pledge to "eliminate duties on UK metals" has not been fulfilled, with tariffs staying at 25%.

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