Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs on UK exports will hit hardest in parts of the UK outside of London – in regions “already vulnerable” to economic shocks.
The world economy is reeling from the US president’s suite of ‘liberation day’ tariffs, a set of punitive import levies that have sent markets tumbling.
Britain received the lowest tax rate doled out by the president on Wednesday (2 April), but is also subject to 25% taxes on car imports, steel and aluminium.
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It will still have a serious impact on UK businesses, which export more than £60bn in goods to the US annually.
According to new analysis by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), the West Midlands, East of England and Northern Ireland – regions most reliant on exports to the US – are expected to bear the brunt of the trade restrictions.
In the West Midlands the estimated fall in export value is expected to be more than £330m per year, based on 2024 figures. It is the number one exporting region of cars to the US, hence the disproportionate figures.