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Ministers and senior MPs have raised concerns that the United Kingdom's negotiated accords with Washington are "lacking a solid foundation." This comes after revelations that a so-called "milestone" deal on pharmaceutical tariffs, which pledges zero tariffs in exchange for the NHS increasing its costs, lacks any formal legal text beyond limited headline terms contained within government press releases.

Lacking Legal Footing

The US-UK pharmaceuticals agreement, promoted as a "significant" achievement, remains an "broad understanding" without a signed legal text. It has been highlighted that the official announcements from the UK and US governments describe the deal in sharply different terms. The British version celebrates securing "duty-free access" as a unique achievement, while the American announcement dwells on the expectation for the NHS to pay 25% more for new medications.

"We face a genuine possibility that the UK government has promised concessions to raise drug prices in return for only a pledge from President Trump," said David Henig, a trade expert. "It is documented he has form for not keeping promises."

Broader Instability and a Paused Tech Deal

Anxieties have been intensified by Washington's action to suspend the high-value digital accord, which was previously called "a huge leap forward" in the bilateral relationship. The US claimed a lack of progress from the UK on lowering trade barriers as the reason for the pause.

Additionally, concessions promised for British farmers as part of an May trade agreement have still not been formally ratified by the US, despite a fast-approaching January deadline. "We have been informed that that the US has not finalized the agreed beef export quotas," said Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers' Union.

Anxiety Behind Closed Doors

Behind the scenes, ministers have expressed concerns that the government's agreements with the US are unstable and unpredictable. One minister reportedly said the series of agreements as "resting on shaky ground," while another characterized the situation as the "prevailing condition" in the transatlantic relationship, marked by "greater risk and fluctuation."

Layla Moran, chair of the health select committee, remarked: "What is even more astonishing than Trump's temper tantrums is the UK government's credulous faith that his administration is a trustworthy negotiator. The NHS is of vital importance."

Official Reassurances and Concrete Outcomes

Ministry sources have attempted to minimize the chances of the US withdrawing from the pharmaceuticals deal. One source noted the US pharmaceutical industry itself had been advocating for the agreement, desiring stability on imports and pricing, making it of tangible value than the paused tech deal.

Officials acknowledge that unpredictability is inherent in dealing with the Trump administration. However, they argue that the UK has obtained tangible results for businesses, such as reduced duties on automobiles compared to other nations. "The fact we have 25% steel tariffs, which is better than the rate for the rest of the world, is a solid gain," one official said.

Nevertheless, delays have surfaced in carrying out the May tariff agreement. Promised quotas on beef exports have failed to be approved, and the commitment to "remove tariffs on British steel and aluminium" has is still pending, with tariffs fixed at 25%.

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