• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Friday April 4 2025
• Author Name: Peter Davison

West country exporters urged to explore new markets after Trump imposes trade tariffs

Exporters in the West of England are being urged to seek out new markets after US president Donald Trump hit the global economy with tariffs.

The British Chambers of Commerce says the new tariffs – including the 10 per cent ‘baseline’ tariff imposed on UK goods and the previously announced 25 per cent on cars and car parts – could affect up to £6 billion worth of UK-US trade – dampening economic growth at home.

Locally, Business West – which operates the Chamber of Commerce in Bristol, Bath and Wiltshire – said “building long-term trade relationships under unpredictable conditions is a major challenge.

“Trade wars help no one, and uncertainty around potential UK or EU retaliation only adds to the unease,” said the organisation.

However, there are free trade opportunities in other parts of the world. The recently-signed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership gives British exporters free access to 11 markets – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam – with a combined consumer base of over 500 million.

Business West also said the 10 per cent tariff being levied on British goods might give UK exporters an advantage over their competitors in the EU, who face tariffs of 20 per cent.

Catherine Stephens, head of international trade services at Business West, said: “We understand that traders exporting to the US may be concerned and frustrated by these tariffs, especially given the wider economic pressures they face.

“But there are many more global markets to explore, and UK businesses have more Free Trade Agreements than ever before.”

Business West is holding a members’ workshop to quiz experts from the British Chambers of Commerce and the Department for Business and Trade on Wednesday, April 9.

Meanwhile, any companies facing imminent financial distress because of these changes are urged to contact Business West for advice and support.

Pictured: A container ship unloading at the Royal Portbury Dock, Bristol by Jon Mills, SWNS. Published under Creative Commons licence