Overview

• Donald Trump’s tariffs, effective April 3, impose a 10% baseline on UK goods and a 25% tariff on cars, as part of his protectionist trade policy.
• The Scotch Whisky Association and Irish Whiskey Association warn of severe impacts on their industries, with potential export losses in the hundreds of millions annually.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is pursuing calm negotiations to mitigate the tariffs’ effects, avoiding immediate retaliatory measures.
• Critics highlight flaws in Trump’s tariff methodology, which calculates rates based on trade deficits rather than actual tariff or trade barriers.
• Global markets remain volatile, with economic experts predicting potential recessions and disruptions to supply chains worldwide due to the tariffs.