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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.
AI under lock and key
Anthropic disabled Fable 5 and Mythos 5 globally to comply with the US regulations. Fable 5 was widely released with safeguards, while Mythos 5 had a limited release with fewer protective measures.
For UK businesses, particularly those categorized as SMEs, the lack of access to these models stifles immediate business capabilities and raises questions about Britain’s future positioning in the tech world order.
Diplomacy in Silicon Valley’s shadow
Starmer’s team lobbied for a UK-specific exemption over the weekend of June 12–13, 2026. Starmer is expected to revisit the topic with Trump at the upcoming G7 meeting.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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