A Liberal Democrat MP made a toe-curling pitch for the UK to enter into an EU trade deal in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs. Daisy Cooper made the suggestion on BBC’s Question Time, in response to a question on how the UK should respond to Trump’s threat to impose a 25% duty on imported cars.

Cooper said: “There is only one language that Donald Trump understands and that is the language of strength and it strikes me that the UK Government thinks that if it just cowers in the corner, we’re just hoping that Donald Trump isn’t too mean to us and I don’t think that is a decent strategy.” The member for St Albans urged the UK to prepare for retaliatory measures and to prepare other options for trade, including with the EU. However, when asked how the UK would speak the language of strength, Cooper struggled to provide concrete answers.

When asked what she would do in response, Cooper suggested: “We should start preparing the groundwork for retaliatory tariffs… start with Tesla tariffs, hit Elon Musk and Donald Trump where it hurts.”

Cooper attempted to reiterate her desire to see the UK strike an agreement to enter the EU’s customs union before being cut off by Question Time host Fiona Bruce.

Bruce probed: “You have already made that point. In terms of talking tough and retaliatory tariffs, you have mentioned only Tesla, now I don’t know Tesla’s sales figures but I know they are quite expensive cars, most people don’t have one, what strength are you going to show?”

Cooper floundered: “Definitely start with the Tesla tariff.”

When questioned again as to what else the Lib Dems would propose, Cooper responded meekly: “It is for the Government to work out. Our idea is to start with Tesla tariffs and go from there.”

Tesla sales have fallen by 40% across Europe since Musk helped Donald Trump reclaim the US presidency.

It sold fewer than 17,000 cars in February compared to 28,000 in the same month in 2024. Year on year sales fell by more than 70% in Germany in February.

Many social media users were left unimpressed by the Lib Dem representatives attempts to provide solutions to the issues posed by the US administration.

One said: “Tesla tariffs? Oh for goodness sake grow up!”

Another added: “Haha Fiona legend (in this episode). Tesla tariffs, that's Lib Dems only idea for 'strength'.”