The administration of US President Donald Trump wants the UK government to repeal hate speech laws in order to secure a trade deal between the two nations, the Independent reported on Wednesday, citing claims by sources close to US Vice President J.D. Vance.
In a recent interview, Vance spoke of his admiration for the UK and expressed optimism about the negotiations.
Washington and London are “working very hard on a trade deal” within the new US tariff regime, he told the British website UnHerd on Tuesday.
However, the sources reportedly claimed to the Independent that Vance’s optimism on a trade deal “is a way of putting further pressure on the UK over free speech.”
“If a deal does not go through, it makes Labour look bad,” they reportedly said.
“No free speech, no deal. It is as simple as that.”
The UK government has rejected claims that the US has imposed a free speech ultimatum. The subject “is not a feature of the talks,” a Downing Street source told the newspaper.
The UK’s hate speech laws have led to a significant number of arrests. In 2023, UK police detained over 12,000 people – approximately 33 per day – for online messages deemed offensive or distressing under the legislation, according to The Times. Critics among civil liberties groups argue that these laws are vague and infringe on free speech.
Vance has previously criticized European leaders for retreating from democratic values. During a speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, he accused them of censoring speech and suppressing opposition parties, warning that the greatest threat to democracy comes from within.
The UK has been spared the worst of the massive wave of levies imposed by Trump earlier this month. The country faces a 10% tariff on all goods and 25% on steel, aluminum and automotive imports. The two countries are currently negotiating a new trade agreement during the 90-day pause in the tariff hike issued by the Trump administration.
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