The country faces several economic challenges but so far has avoided the worst of the turmoil afflicting targets of President Trump’s anger.
Britain became a byword for self-inflicted economic harm and instability after Brexit and former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s calamitous tax cuts. But now, the country sees an opportunity to serve as a haven from the trade war that is rattling markets and the global economy.
Last week, President Trump limited the U.S. tariffs on Britain to the “base-line” rate of 10 percent, and his administration has been engaging in talks on a trade deal focused on technology. Though a deal has yet to materialize, Britain has avoided being a main target of Mr. Trump’s ire over trade relationships.
To be sure, some of that advantage was ceded late on Wednesday, when Mr. Trump said he would pause for 90 days the higher “reciprocal” tariffs on countries other than China, setting all other tariffs at a “universal” 10 percent. That leaves Britain subject to the same blanket tariffs as a host of countries that have not been as solicitous toward Washington.
Still, the European Union, Japan, Vietnam and dozens of others now have to negotiate to avoid higher tariffs from being reimposed, raising the stakes.
Yvette Cooper, Britain’s home secretary, said on Thursday that British officials were trying to strengthen trade relations with other countries, including the European Union.
Ms. Cooper said that Britain was focused on being a “stable place” for investors, highlighting that Universal Studios announced plans to build a massive theme park in the country, its first in Europe.