Future Retirement Success
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
  • Stocks

Future Retirement Success

Business

UK doesn’t rule out retaliation as Trump’s 25% metal tariffs fuel trade tensions

by March 12, 2025
March 12, 2025
UK doesn’t rule out retaliation as Trump’s 25% metal tariffs fuel trade tensions

The British government has not ruled out imposing its own tariffs on the United States after President Trump’s decision to levy a 25 per cent duty on steel and aluminium imports. James Murray, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, stressed that Britain must remain “cool-headed,” yet warned that “all options are on the table.”

In contrast to the EU’s move to implement €26 billion of countermeasures against American goods, Britain is withholding immediate retaliation while focusing on negotiations towards a UK-US economic agreement. “Obviously, the imposition of tariffs is disappointing,” Murray told Times Radio. “We want a pragmatic approach . . . but we will stand up for British industry if needed.”

Trump’s increased tariffs took effect on Wednesday, extending beyond basic steel and aluminium to hundreds of derivative products, ranging from building bolts to drinks cans. Exemptions and duty-free quotas that previously applied to several international partners have now expired.

The European Commission has vowed to end its suspension of tariffs on US goods from 1 April, launching a new package of countermeasures by mid-April. Targeted products, worth an estimated €18 billion, could include everything from steel and aluminium to textiles, poultry and dairy. Ursula von der Leyen, the Commission President, emphasised the need to “act to protect consumers and business,” calling the tariffs “strong but proportionate.”

William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chamber of Commerce, described the situation as “a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade,” cautioning that it plunges British and American businesses into heightened uncertainty.

President Trump rattled market confidence further by announcing fresh levies on Canadian imports, doubling planned tariffs for steel and aluminium to 50 per cent, after Ontario imposed a 25 per cent tariff on electricity entering the US. The Canadian market is the single largest foreign supplier of US steel and aluminium, and it joins Brazil, Mexico and South Korea in losing key exemptions or quota arrangements.

Australia also voiced its displeasure, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling the US tariffs “entirely unjustified” but ruling out tit-for-tat duties, noting that “tariffs and escalating trade tensions are a form of economic self-harm.” Meanwhile, China vowed “all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests,” and Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi warned of major repercussions for US-Japan economic ties.

Against this backdrop, Britain’s efforts to negotiate a new economic pact with the US aim to preserve vital trade flows without resorting to a swift retaliatory response. Nevertheless, Murray underlined the government’s readiness to protect UK industry: “We reserve our right to retaliate . . . Failing to do so would risk the wellbeing of British businesses and the wider economy.”

Read more:
UK doesn’t rule out retaliation as Trump’s 25% metal tariffs fuel trade tensions

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Disabled employees under strain as PIP cut rumours grow
next post
Greenland’s center-right party pulls off upset victory as Trump seeks control

You may also like

Rachel Reeves faces £25bn tax hike to avoid...

October 10, 2024

Octopus Energy pledges £15bn investment in offshore wind...

July 24, 2023

How Businesses Can Benefit From Fleet Tracking

October 8, 2024

Luxury and Speed Combined: Sports Car Rental in...

September 15, 2023

Profits at UK banks to hit £33bn thanks...

October 20, 2022

Bank of England cuts interest rates to 5%...

August 1, 2024

America is not the greatest country in the...

April 9, 2025

Trump extends TikTok sale deadline amid ongoing talks...

April 4, 2025

Thoroughbred Horses in the UK Becoming a Globally...

December 6, 2024

Trading Digitally: Understanding The Regulatory Requirements For Selling...

May 7, 2024

Rachel Reeves faces £25bn tax hike to avoid...

October 10, 2024

Octopus Energy pledges £15bn investment in offshore wind...

July 24, 2023

How Businesses Can Benefit From Fleet Tracking

October 8, 2024

Luxury and Speed Combined: Sports Car Rental in...

September 15, 2023

Profits at UK banks to hit £33bn thanks...

October 20, 2022

Bank of England cuts interest rates to 5%...

August 1, 2024

America is not the greatest country in the...

April 9, 2025

Trump extends TikTok sale deadline amid ongoing talks...

April 4, 2025

Thoroughbred Horses in the UK Becoming a Globally...

December 6, 2024

Trading Digitally: Understanding The Regulatory Requirements For Selling...

May 7, 2024

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Civil rights group declares ‘state of emergency,’ pointing at Trump admin

      July 17, 2025
    • SCOOP: House fiscal hawks warily accept Senate’s $9B Trump spending cuts package

      July 17, 2025
    • Two Republicans vote against Trump’s $9 billion clawback of foreign aid, NPR funding

      July 17, 2025
    • What Startups Can Learn From Today’s Leading Online Entertainment Platforms

      July 17, 2025
    • RGTI Stock Surged 30% — Is This the Start of a Quantum Comeback?

      July 17, 2025
    • Three Bearish Candle Patterns Every Investor Should Know

      July 17, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (8,509)
    • Investing (2,127)
    • Politics (16,085)
    • Stocks (3,216)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: futureretirementsuccess.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 futureretirementsuccess.com | All Rights Reserved