Donald Trump is back in the White House and the UK is playing catch-up once again. Whether it’s Mandelson grovelling for his job or Starmer waiting almost a week for a phone call, it risks a re-run of the President’s first term when opportunities were missed. And now, in a potential indicator that those in Whitehall were caught on the hop, the Department of Business and Trade have this week put a new job advert. The post in question? ‘Head of Tariff Strategy’.
Yep, that’s right, for the whopping salary of just £55,000, you too could be bartering with Donald Trump’s tariff-loving aides. According to the 2,177-word advert, ‘you will have the opportunity to shape the UK’s international trade agenda for years to come’ and establish ‘the UK as a leader at the World Trade Organisation.’ Duties include ‘developing a coherent strategy for our tariff policy’ and ‘leading the UK Global Tariff policy response to global developments’.

Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in