Lib Dems table motion forcing Govt to release analysis of potential Trump trade war

EMBARGO: 22:30 Thursday 16th January

The Liberal Democrats are tabling a ‘Humble Address’ motion which would force the Government to release its analysis of the potential impact of Trump tariffs on the UK economy.

It follows reports that the Government has conducted internal assessments of how a potential trade war with the US may hit the UK economy, but is refusing to publish them. 

The Liberal Democrat motion will call urgently for the publication of all impact assessments conducted by the Government regarding the impact of Trump's tariffs ahead of his inauguration on 20 January. 

Humble Address motions have been successfully used in the past, including in 2017 when the Government was forced to publish an impact assessment of Brexit on the economy. 

The new US administration’s purported plans may involve tariffs of up to 20 percent on UK exports, which could hit the UK economy by £22bn according to the research conducted at the University of Sussex.

The Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Government to negotiate a new UK-EU Customs Union, to boost economic growth and strengthen the UK's position with the new Trump administration.

Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

“The Government must come clean about how Donald Trump's tariffs could hit Britain's economy, jobs and living standards.

“Many families who are already struggling with the cost of living will be worried about what Trump’s Presidency and a potential trade war might mean for them. 

“The least the British public deserve is for the Government to be transparent about how Trump's tariffs might hit their pockets. The Government must release this impact assessment now.

“Ministers need to also urgently start talks on a new UK-EU Customs Union, to boost our economy and allow the UK to negotiate with Trump from a position of strength.”

 ENDS

Notes to Editors

Please see University of Sussex research here. 

Please see reporting on the Government’s failure to disclose the impact assessment here.

The text of the Humble Address to be tabled by the Liberal Democrats is as follows: 

That an Humble Address be presented to His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be deposited in the House of Commons Library all impact assessments which His Majesty’s Government have made regarding the impact of potential US tariffs on the UK economy.