Nandy: UK will not make tariff deal if it harms creatives

Any trade deal with the US to lower tariffs on goods exported to the country will not go ahead if it is harmful to creatives, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said.

On Wednesday US President Donald Trump imposed minimum 10% import tariffs worldwide starting from tomorrow (5 April).

It has been suggested that the UK government is working with US counterparts on a trade deal, focusing on technology, which it hopes will help the UK secure lower tariffs.

Speaking in parliament yesterday (3 April), Conservative MP and former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale asked Nandy for assurances that creatives will not be negatively impacted.

“The Secretary of State will be aware of suggestions that the government may offer concessions around AI regulation in a deal to reduce US tariffs,” Whittingdale said.

“Will she assure the creative and news media sectors that any negotiations will not include an offer to weaken our copyright framework, which would be opposed by creative industries both in the UK and in the US?”

In response, Nandy indicated that there are no plans to strike a deal that would harm creatives.

“Our creatives are second to none in the world… and our copyright framework is an essential part of their success,” she said.

“We have been clear that if it does not work for creatives, it does not work for us and we will not do it.

“On negotiations with the United States, the Prime Minister has been clear that this is the start of the process, but we will always work in the national interest, and we are considering all steps as we look to the future.”

Nandy also said that the government is committed to “getting it right” on plans to to reform the UK’s copyright framework amid the growth of the AI sector.

The government is proposing a form of ‘opt out’ copyright system that would allow developers to train artificial intelligence (AI) on creative works, unless the creator has specified they do not want their work to be used. However, the plans have been criticised by many in the sector.

“Our creative industries lead the world. [The copyright framework] is the top priority for them, and I am clear that if it matters to them, it matters to us, and we are determined to get it right.

“Since I was appointed, I have discussed this with representatives across music, publishing, film, TV, fashion and gaming. The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and I will shortly convene further roundtables to work with industry across artificial intelligence and the creative industries to strike the right balance and to grip this issue.”