Overview

• President Donald Trump's 10% tariff on UK imports took effect on April 5, disrupting industries, including automotive manufacturing.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to protect British businesses through industrial policy and trade negotiations, while preparing potential retaliatory tariffs.
• Jaguar Land Rover has paused shipments to the US for a month, highlighting the immediate strain on the UK automotive sector, which employs 200,000 people.
• Starmer has acknowledged the appeal of Trump’s tariffs among US voters but argues they are ultimately harmful and reflect a shift away from globalization.
• In discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer agreed a trade war is undesirable but emphasized that all options remain on the table.