Keir Starmer had a request that could rival any dramatic movie script: seeking a carveout from the US export controls for Anthropic’s advanced AI models. The twist? His request was met with a firm refusal.
The denied carveout
Back in June 2026, the US, under the Trump administration, wielded its regulatory hammer and imposed strict export controls on AI, specifically targeting Anthropic’s latest models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5. These models are part of the Claude 5 family, and their restriction was a move to bolster national security interests.
The UK, seeing these as vital, attempted to negotiate an exemption. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration argued that access to these models was crucial for UK innovation and operations, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dependent on cutting-edge technology.
The Trump administration declared that granting exemptions—even for G7 allies—would be ‘completely illogical,’ leaving UK stakeholders in a familiar bind, reminiscent of past semiconductor restriction woes.
