The Republican President slapped massive import taxes on goods coming into the US from abroad, but the levy was lower for the UK and Afghanistan at 10 per cent.

An SNP official claimed the UK received a worse deal from President Trump on tariffs than the Taliban.

The Republican President slapped massive import taxes on goods coming into the US from abroad, but the levy was lower for the UK and Afghanistan at 10%.

The White House claimed the levels were based on tariffs imposed on the US, but Trump’s tariff board showed Afghanistan as imposing a higher rate on America than the UK.

“Even the Taliban got a better deal than Starmer,” an SNP insider told the Record.

Speaking in the White House Rose Garden yesterday, Trump set out sweeping trade levies hitting countries across the world.

READ MORE: Donald Trump announces 10% tariffs on UK importsREAD MORE: Keir Starmer accused by union of trying to take credit for Grangemouth redundancy deal for workers

He said the US had for decades been “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike”.

He added: “It’s our declaration of economic independence.”

But fears are growing the US will be hit by reciprocal tariffs, sparking a global trade war and economic slump.

The 10% rate for the UK is lower than the 20% tariff imposed on the EU, but experts say Britain will not be immune from any worldwide slowdown.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer told business chiefs in Downing Street that the US President “acted for his country, and that is his mandate.

“Today, I will act in Britain’s interests with mine.”

He said the UK was “prepared” and that “one of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a cool head”.

The UK and the US have been working on a trade deal that Starmer hopes could see the tariffs reduced or eradicated completely.

The 10% tariff is separate from the 25% tariff on all cars exported to the US.

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