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U.S. issues new tariff threat, this time against British-built cars

WASHINGTON — Britain is the United States' closest ally but their long friendship may be sorely tested as the two countries try to forge a new trade agreement after Britain's exit from the European Union. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday in London that he was optimistic that a bilateral deal with Britain could be reached as soon as this year. But Mnuchin gave up no ground after a second meeting with his UK counterpart, Sajid Javid. Javid has insisted that Britain will proceed with a unilateral digital services tax, despite a U.S. threat to levy retaliatory tariffs on British-made autos. Mnuchin told reporters after Saturday's meeting that such taxes would discriminate against big U.S. tech companies like Alphabet Inc's Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. The UK Treasury declined to comment on the private meeting. The divide highlights the challenges ahead as the Trump administration seeks a new bilateral agreement with Britain, part of a broader push to rebalance relations with nearly all its major trading partners. The stakes are high — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pegged the trade deal with United States as a way to ease the pain of breaking with Europe, Britain's largest trade partner. U.S. President Donald Trump, has promised a "massive" trade deal to support Brexit, the product of a populist movement similar to his "America First" agenda. The goodwill and special relationship the two countries have enjoyed for decades may not count for much, experts say. "Trump is not going to be doing Johnson any favors," said Amanda Sloat, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution in Washington. "He's not going to give him a trade deal without major concessions." Even before the digital tax issue arose, the Trump administration threatened to tax foreign car imports, which could hit British-made Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, and Honda Civic hatchback cars. Stiff U.S. trade demands include increased access for U.S. farm goods, concessions that will be difficult for Britain's entrenched natural food culture to swallow. The United States also wants Britain to change the way its National Health Service prices drugs and allow in more U.S. pharmaceuticals, which could prove politically unpopular for Johnson's government. Washington's demand that London block Chinese telecoms equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd for national security reasons could also cloud talks.

Bentley Bentayga spied on soon-to-be home turf

If we had to bet where Bentley would sell the most Bentayga crossovers, our money would be on the Middle East, with a particular focus on the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. Considering that – not to mention the blistering heat – it's no real surprise that the British manufacturer is testing its first CUV on the sand-strewn roads of Dubai. This video comes from an Arab YouTube channel that Google Translate calls "net box." It gives us a great look at the new Bentayga while both parked and in motion, traveling along Dubai's highways. While this is not the exact same vehicle we've seen in previous spy photos – the number plate on this car ends in a Z instead of a W – the camouflage job is more or less the same. There are large, obstructive headlight and taillight covers, and the same strakes designed to obscure the rear haunches. Seeing an engineer getting out of the car and standing next to it, though, does give us some sense of its overall size. Either Bentley's engineer is a giant or the Bentayga is relatively low for a crossover, relying more on a lifted ride height than just being big and tall. You can check out the video above. Like we said, it's a good first look at Crewe's first CUV in motion. Check it out, and let us know what you think in Comments.

Bentley rolls out Shaheen edition Mulsanne in Dubai

Bentley doesn't do quite as many special editions for local markets as Rolls-Royce does, and when it does, they're usually based on the Continental range. But the new Shaheen edition which Bentley unveiled at the Dubai Motor Show is based on its flagship sedan, the Mulsanne.
Named for and inspired by the Shaheen eagle, the special Mulsanne is distinguished by two-tone Tungsten and Onyx paint, with Magnolia and Beluga leather and dark burr walnut trim inside. It comes already upgraded to the Mulliner Driving Specification, which includes 21-inch alloys, diamond-quilted leather and adjustable suspension and steering.
Of course there are special logos inside and out, and sheikhs ponying up the unspecified premium can also opt for iPad picnic tables, onboard wifi, glass sunroof and a bottle cooler for chilling the champagne that, somewhat ironically, is haram - forbidden under Sharia law that governs many of the countries where Bentley is selling this car.