Donald Trump backtracks on NHS after outcry
US President tells Good Morning Britain health service 'not part of trade'
Donald Trump has appeared to backtrack on his controversial comments that the NHS would be “on the table” in any post-Brexit trade talks with the UK.
“I think everything with a trade deal is on the table,” he had said at a news conference with Theresa May.
“When you're dealing in trade, everything is on the table - so NHS or anything else, a lot more than that, but everything will be on the table, absolutely.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, speaking earlier today to Good Morning Britain he struck a different note.
Asked about the issue, he told Piers Morgan: “I don’t see it being on the table. Somebody asked me a question today and I said everything’s up for negotiation because everything is.
“But I don’t see that as being… that’s not something that I would consider being part of trade. That’s not trade.”
Trump’s original remarks about the NHS were the most eye-catching to come from his news conference. According to The Sun, they sparked a “massive row” as well as provoking a “cross-party backlash”, The Guardian says.
Several Tory leadership contenders rejected the idea. “If Boris Johnson is prime minister the NHS will never be on the negotiating table,” a source close to the former foreign secretary told The Times.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “Dear Mr President. The NHS isn't on the table in trade talks - and never will be. Not on my watch.” Esther McVey echoed the comments: “The NHS would not be on the table in any trade deal I negotiated with the US.”
Rory Stewart declared he would not be “offering up” the NHS in any trade deal, Dominic Raab said the NHS “is not for sale” and “never would be if I was prime minister”, while Sam Gyimah said the health service should not be used as a “bargaining chip”.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted that a sell-off of the NHS is “what Tory leadership contenders and Farage are lining up for the no-deal disaster capitalism plans they have”. He added: “They all need to understand: our NHS is not for sale.”
The Brexit spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, Tom Brake, said Trump’s suggestion was a “disgrace”. But Nigel Farage, the Brexit Party leader said it was “wilful misinterpretation” to suggest a US trade deal would open the NHS to privatisation.
Today, on the final day of his visit to the UK, Trump will join the Queen and the prime minister in Portsmouth to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Commenting on how Trump’s three-day visit has been treated by Theresa May, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg said: “For any prime minister, handling a president like Donald Trump is like trying to hold on to a Ming vase walking across a recently polished, slippery parquet floor.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Republicans want to silence Israel's opponents'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 19, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - priority delivery, USPS on fire, and more
By The Week US Published
-
How could the Supreme Court's Fischer v. US case impact the other Jan 6. trials including Trump's?
Today's Big Question A former Pennsylvania cop might hold the key to a major upheaval in how the courts treat the Capitol riot — and its alleged instigator
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans trying to change Nebraska's Electoral College vote?
Today's Big Question It's a chance for Donald Trump to block Joe Biden's path to re-election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
To win the election, Trump is changing how elections are run
Under The Radar While the former president campaigns for a second term in office, he and his team have quietly been working to tilt the nation's electoral rules in his favor.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'What a difference a judge makes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published