Commenting on the new US Tariffs on Automobiles and Automobile Parts, BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said: 

“President Trump made a clear campaign promise to introduce protective tariffs aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing in the United States, so the introduction of these new tariffs should not come as a surprise. 

“Setting aside the broader question of whether this part of the new economic agenda will benefit the US in the long term, BritishAmerican Business believes there is a very strong case to be made that the UK should be exempted from these and other tariffs that may be announced next week, and from the Steel and Aluminium Tariffs already in place.  

“Unlike other trading relationships, the US and UK do not have a trade imbalance, nor is there a significant disparity in wage structures or labour standards and if anything, the UK is at a disadvantage with its higher energy costs.  

“We urge the UK not to retaliate, to listen carefully to the American concerns, and to continue the efforts to reach an agreement that focuses on the future facing businesses at which both countries excel, and which provides the exemption that will benefit both economies.”