UK to 'tread carefully' with US over tariffs

British lawmakers are apprehensive that any reaction could result in a more punitive response from Trump.

ad-image
Britain will not impose retaliatory tariffs on the US because it believes that doing so would simply infuriate President-elect Donald Trump, resulting in a trade war with no benefits for the UK.

Trump has declared that upon his assumption of the presidency, he will implement universal tariffs of up to 20 percent on all imports. This would result in a £21.5 billion loss for the United Kingdom and a rise in UK inflation. The Times has been informed that ministers are opposed to adopting a "protectionist" stance, after having convened to discuss strategies to respond with tariffs on US imports to the UK. British lawmakers are apprehensive that any reaction could result in a more punitive response from Trump.

Because British economists predicted that it would increase inflation in the United States, the UK government anticipated that Trump would modify his universal tariff policy. Ministers anticipate that he will implement a sector-by-sector strategy, with an emphasis on tariffs on automobiles, technology, steel, and aluminum.

Although such an approach would have a detrimental effect on the UK economy, particularly in industries such as steel and electric vehicles, it would be less severe than a blanket tariff. Services, including finance, insurance, and consulting, account for two-thirds of the United Kingdom's annual £188 billion exports to the United States, as opposed to goods.

It is anticipated that the EU will implement retaliatory tariffs if Trump proceeds with his proposed tariffs on products from the EU. It has devised strategies to levy tariffs on imports from the United States, including Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Levi's denim jeans, and Kentucky bourbon, the paper said.
 

Image: Title: uk tariffs

Opinion

View All

Japan blocks women from sterilization in fight against plummeting birth rates

Under Japanese law, sterilization for women is only allowed when pregnancy or childbirth poses a seri...

JACK POSOBIEC: Make Ireland Irish Again

"Since the year 2000, the foreign-born population has gone from 9% all the way up to 22% in 2024–2025...

Mayor Sadiq Khan praises London for hosting 'biggest iftar in Western world'

"We've shown during this month of Ramadan the power of being a Muslim. The joy of being British."...

Irish president uses celebration of St Patrick—who brought Christianity to Ireland—to demand more Islamic migration

"Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequen...