Your Latest Briefing from the Liberal Democrats in Parliament.

People across the UK will be deeply worried about what Donald Trump’s destructive trade war means for them, as the US placed 10% tariffs on all UK exports last week.

But the only way to deal with a bully is to stand tall, because if you give into their demands, they’ll only come back for more.

That’s why Daisy Cooper MP, our Treasury Spokesperson, urged the government to be much tougher, calling for a coalition of the willing of our European and Commonwealth partners to counter the tariffs. This would involve retaliatory tariffs where necessary and the signing of new trade deals where possible.

Daisy also urged the government not to give in to Trump’s demands or appease him with steps such as watering down the Digital Services Tax.

Last month, the House of Lords voted in favour of our amendment to exempt care providers, NHS GP practices, NHS dentists, and others from the government’s damaging NI rises, which will only worsen the health and social care crisis.

Lib Dem Peers have continued this fight ever since.

On 24 March, Lord Scriven’s amendment to allow ministers to introduce exemptions for certain sectors further down the line passed a vote.

Unfortunately, the amendment was rejected in the House of Commons, with Labour voting against it, and the hikes came into effect last week. However, we’ll continue to fight the jobs tax to protect small businesses and the health and care sectors.

Last week, Lib Dem peers voted for re-introducing the £2 bus fare cap in England, to reverse Labour raising it to £3.

In support of an amendment to the Bus Services Bill to reintroduce the £2 cap, Baroness Pidgeon outlined how a higher cap creates real barriers for passengers, as many people on low incomes rely on buses to get around.

Although the Liberal Democrats support the government’s move to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence (and support bringing all parties together to get to 3%), we strongly oppose plans to fund it through cuts to foreign aid.

In a speech to the House of Commons, Monica Harding MP, our International Development Spokesperson, highlighted the importance of overseas aid, not just for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable, but also for us here in the UK.

Alongside defence and diplomacy, development is a third element of our foreign policy, opening up opportunities for trade and growth, helping us reach global climate goals, fight terrorism, and reduce pressures which lead to conflict and displacement.

Withdrawing assistance also allows other actors, like China and Russia, to move in and spread their influence at our expense.

Our motion passed at Spring Conference committed us to supporting an immediate restoration of spending 0.5% of Gross National Income (GNI) on ODA, and a roadmap to spending 0.7%.

Baroness Tyler of Enfield submitted an amendment to the Mental Health Bill to establish a Mental Health Commissioner for England.

In her speech, Baroness Tyler outlined how, unlike existing bodies, a commissioner would have a strategic, cross-government focus working to promote mental health. They would also give those living with mental health problems a voice at the top table, and could help tackle stigma and discrimination in the public sphere.