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February 14, 2025

Britain at risk of £24bn Donald Trump tariff raid over VAT

Jenny Jones-author-image Jennifer Michele
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Britain at risk of £24bn Donald Trump tariff raid over VAT

Donald Trump's promise to implement tariffs on nations that cost VAT may have a £24 billion adverse effect on the British economy. A 21 per cent levy on goods delivered to the United States could be the result of the open tariffs that the US president claimed he would introduce "for purposes of fairness."

The effect on Britain is still unknown, but he guaranteed to deal with "each country one by one." The average VAT worth in the UK is now 20% for a wide range of goods and services. According to Trump, VAT is a tariff addressed to reporters.

Tariff Plans Impact Sectors

Based on a prior inspection by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), tariffs of that extent may decrease UK economic growth by 0.4 percentage points over the next two years, or approximately £24 billion.

For equity, I have identified the implementation of a reciprocal tariff. Everyone is handled fairly. As he approved the new order imposing them, Trump informed reporters, "No other nation can complain." "Tariffs are good—in fact, they're outstanding," he claimed. 

Following what has previously been a "tough beginning" to the year, William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, stated the changes will add "more expensive and uncertainty for businesses, investors, and consumers."

The ideas could 'substantially impact' industries like pharmaceuticals, food and drink, and automobiles, he claimed. "Ministers must 'talk with the United States on appropriate arrangements,' he said." To promote UK-US trade, we must push for pro-growth protections from proposed tariffs.

Since America implemented 50% tariffs on all manufactured goods in 1890, the new tariffs will be the most costly. Trump has regarded William McKinley, the 25th president, as the "tariff king" for having made the tariffs. Because of the tariffs, he added, U.S. prices 'may go up', raising concerns about protracted trade wars.

Tariff Strategy and Levy

Using a term he generally employs for orders he wants to draw attention to, Trump promoted the order online as a signal event.

The high scope of the tariffs, which will go far beyond the tariffs that other nations implement on the United States, was clarified by a senior White House official. These tariffs will manage "burdensome regulatory requirements," exchange rates due to "undervalued currencies," and tax structures that might harm the US.

Though the White House's definitions provide Trump plenty of flexibility to increase tariffs on a country if he so picks, the "reciprocal" portion of the tariffs charges imports at the same value that other countries apply to US exports. "The order would consider a lot of 'non-tariff barriers' that the administration states harm the United States," the official clarified.

Trump himself regarded the European Union's VAT as "brutal" and explained that he would not keep up with it. Exchange rates that "deviate from market value" include "undervalued currencies," "funding and burdensome regulatory requirements," and "any other act that identifies as an unfair limitation" are also put into consideration.