Lib Dems urge Government to launch a “Buy British” campaign to back businesses hit by Trump’s tariffs

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to launch a campaign urging people to “Buy British”, as part of a wider plan to boost businesses hit by the impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs.

It comes after Donald Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ in which he launched a raft of tariffs on countries around the globe, including 10% tariffs on UK exports and 25% tariffs on all automotive exports to the US.

The Liberal Democrats said the Government should launch a Buy British advertising campaign, to support British businesses and send a collective message that the country “won’t take Trump’s tariffs lying down.” The party also called for a new official “Made in Britain” logo available for those who wish to adopt it, to boost businesses from the UK’s world-leading car industry and clothes brands to local jam and cidermakers. The Liberal Democrats said it was crucial that this is bolstered with pro-business policies to reduce the cost of doing business and stimulate demand for British products. 

In Canada, the “Buy Canadian” movement has seen a surge in people buying locally produced goods. The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged people to ‘Buy Canadian’ wherever they can. The Liberal Democrats said the UK government should be taking a similar approach, backing British businesses while “standing tall against Donald Trump”.

The Liberal Democrats have outlined a number of steps the Government should already be taking to back British businesses and save high streets in the face of Trump’s tariffs and stagnant economic growth. They include scrapping the National Insurance tax hike coming into effect in the coming days and overhauling the broken business rates system.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

“People across the country are deeply worried about what Trump’s trade war means for their living standards, and want to know what they can do to help. We need to bring the country together, and show collectively that we won’t take Trump’s tariffs lying down.

“The Government should launch a campaign to encourage people to Buy British and support our high streets, as part of a national effort to back British businesses. That must be bolstered with a raft of serious measures to unleash the potential of our businesses including overhauling business rates, scrapping the jobs tax and fixing our trading relationship with the EU.

“Ministers also need to rule out making concessions to Trump that would damage our local farmers, threaten the NHS or undermine the online safety of our children. We need to send Trump a clear message that Britain will not be bullied, by rallying round our businesses at home and working with our Commonwealth and European allies abroad.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Mark Carney’s call to ‘Buy Canadian’ can be found here.