UK Car Drivers May Be flogged by Rising Fuel Prices After Starmer’s Trade Deal
What the Deal Means
Sir Keir Starmer, the UK’s new Chief Whip, just hammered out a trade agreement with President–the‑man Ronnie B. — yes, that’s the US— during which car‑export duties fell from a hefty 27.5% to a leaner 10%. On paper, that looks like a win for British automakers, but the real-world fallout might leave most of us in the driveway breathing a bit heavier.
US Bioethanol‑to-Your Pumps
- US growers can now ship cheaper bioethanol to the UK, thanks to the tariff cut.
- British producers, meanwhile, are stuck paying the higher price for the raw material, which means the low‑octane lift in Britain might become as expensive as a luxury car.
- If UK plants shut down, our future fuel security could take a hit – and the betrayal would be felt in the price tag rather than the petrol pump.
Industry Voices: Alarm Bells & “Future Fuel Fears”
Tom Reid of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association slammed the deal in The Sun, warning, “If the UK plants trail off because of this, we’ll be in a fuel‑security pickle if the US presses pause on exports. By then the damage will be done, UK plants will be gone, and we’ll have to import somewhere else, possibly making it very expensive, and it will fall on UK motorists to pay.”
- Markets say the cheaper US bioethanol will likely outprice the UK’s local mix.
- Local producers are “facing dire consequences” if they cannot match the price.
Political Punch‑line
Clive Jones, the Liberal Democrat trade spokesperson, called out the government for not pulling a proper cost‑analysis. “This is a worrying notice for motorists who’ve already been slapped by the cost‑of‑living crisis,” he told The Sun. “There must be a full impact assessment of this deal, including any extra costs for the travelling masses.”
The Takeaway
So while the trade deal may look like a big boost for exporters, the torch‑passing to US bioethanol threatens to hand UK motorists a sliver of a fuel price increase. Get ready to put a little extra pep in your pedal as prices might keep climbing. And remember: next time you fill up, it could be worth a little extra money… and maybe a few more jokes from your road‑side buddy.
