West Midlands Businesses Express Tariff Concerns Following Trump’s Election Victory

Following Donald Trump’s success in the US election, businesses in the West Midlands have voiced apprehension regarding prospective trade arrangements with America. The Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce convened a dedicated breakfast briefing on Wednesday as the election results were being finalized. Specialist presenters analyzed the election and its potential repercussions for trade between Britain and America. While business leaders expressed worries about potential future tariffs under Trump, they also acknowledged the benefit of having a definitive outcome to facilitate planning. Throughout his campaign, Trump had put forward proposals for tariffs reaching 60% on products manufactured in China and a minimum of 10% on other imported items. Elisabeth Lewis-Jones, who serves as chief executive of Liquid, observed that Trump’s prior presidential term led to tariffs being imposed on goods from the UK and EU entering America, stating: “I’m expecting the same to happen.” She further explained that Liquid acts on behalf of North Carolina sweet potato producers and US dried pea and lentil producers within the UK, and that the election outcome would have a “real impact”. She mentioned the absence of a post-Brexit trade agreement between the UK and America, but highlighted the existence of Memorandums of Understanding with specific states, adding: “I can see us building on those.” Janie Frampton, the founder of Team You Development, commented that Trump’s nature was not unfamiliar, remarking: “We sort of know what we’re getting.” Ms. Frampton, whose company provides services to major sports organizations and businesses throughout the Caribbean, expressed: “At the moment I haven’t stepped back into the US for some years, and if I’m honest, I’m not even sure I want to…. The way Trump speaks absolutely impinges on my values as a human being.” Andy Dawson, a director and co-founder at the business consultancy Curium Solutions, indicated that the “decisive” election outcome offered a degree of predictability, enabling businesses to commence planning, stating: “We want more certainty and less uncertainty. So at least we know what we’re facing.” He mentioned apprehensions regarding the potential effects of tariffs on international commerce, alongside inquiries concerning American foreign policies globally, specifically in Ukraine and the Middle East. “We’ll see what really happens now in his first 100 days,” he further remarked. Fiona Latter, a programme manager affiliated with the West Midlands Combined Authority, stated that while the outcome was anticipated, she was taken aback by the magnitude of Trump’s win. She articulated worries about the repercussions for women’s rights within the US, commenting: “Women are more than 50% of the worldwide population. Why is their voice being compromised at this moment? I just feel nervous about it.” During the course of the American election campaign, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, asserted that his rival, Kamala Harris, had “implemented dangerously liberal policies that have left women worse off financially and far less safe than we were four years ago under President Trump”. For updates, follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.