Trump Row Puts UK Nuclear Power Ambitions At Risk Amid Trade Dispute

Britain’s ambitions to ignite a new era of nuclear energy are facing significant headwinds following a dispute with Donald Trump over the future of the UK US trade deal. Plans that had promised a surge in nuclear capacity and new jobs are now in jeopardy after the United States placed the tech prosperity agreement on hold. This pact, signed by Trump and Sir Keir Starmer, was intended to encourage greater collaboration on nuclear energy and facilitate investment from major industry players such as US based X Energy, Centrica, and the American nuclear firm Last Energy, alongside the London port operator DP World.

Industry voices are divided over the severity of the current impasse. Some insiders cite the dispute as a mere negotiating tactic, but others warn of tangible risks, especially regarding the rollout of American designed mini nuclear reactors in Britain. This comes at a delicate moment when regulatory cooperation was identified as the key benefit of the agreement, with the potential to reduce years from approval processes by having Britain and the US mutually recognise each other’s approved designs as safe and reliable.

Regulatory delays, rather than commercial terms, have emerged as the major concern among developers. While Rolls Royce SMR has already initiated the approval process for its first British mini reactors in the United States, companies like X Energy are seeking to build commercial reactors for Dow Chemical in Texas and would stand to benefit significantly if US designs could be swiftly authorised in the UK through enhanced transatlantic cooperation.

A memorandum of understanding was established between the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission as part of broader efforts to streamline regulatory approval across both sides of the Atlantic. Whether the current trade disagreement will impact this collaboration remains unclear, but official spokespeople from both regulatory bodies maintain that joint work continues to progress satisfactorily.

The row also highlights wider tensions in transatlantic relations on technology and trade, with US frustration mounting over Britain’s Online Safety Act. Critics in Washington contend that the law risks stifling free speech and threatening the prospects of American artificial intelligence companies operating in Britain. Meanwhile, the US trade office has voiced concerns about perceived discrimination against American businesses by the European Union, issuing warnings to names such as Spotify, Accenture, Mistral, and DHL.

For Britain’s nuclear sector, the delay or disruption of the trade deal could halt the momentum built in regulatory advancement and investment. Stakeholders who were counting on a new wave of nuclear projects and the corresponding economic benefits are now confronted with uncertainty, as London and Washington seek agreement on a way forward. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether Britain can realise its goal of establishing itself as a leader in the nuclear energy renaissance.