Why in the hell did Trump initiate tariffs on the UK? Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – April 5, 2025 In 2024, the US had an export trade surplus with the UK totaling $79.9 billion while imports reached $68.1 billion. The US also had a surplus in services trade with the UK, although the data on this is not as readily available in the search results. Despite our trade surplus with the UK, this past Thursday, April 2, 2025, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on nearly all UK products, a 25% global tariff on cars and a 25% tariff on US imports of steel, aluminum, and derivative products. Range Rover Sport 53-mile range PHEV in Park City, UT. Many Global manufacturers were quick to increase US inventories prior to suspected US tariffs including the U.K. The country's automakers increased US dealership inventory to the tune of 38.5% from a year earlier in December, 12.4% in January and 34.6% in February. Now that this week’s Tariffs announcements are public, Jaguar and Land Rover cars have decided to halt future shipments to the U.S. as the UKs already struggling auto industry responds to the 25% tax on vehicle imports. Jaguar Land Rover Automotive announced earlier today that the shipment halt would begin this month. What in the hell was tariffs placed on the UK for other than to weaken our alliances with our #1 ally in favor of disrupting the world order, possibly on Putin’s behalf? Russia by name received no such US tariffs. The UK will be in recession shortly as the already fragile jobs market will decline further as US export production is curtailed. Several internally generated forecasts have slashed British growth predictions for 2025 as soaring taxes, high interest rates and the now full on trade war has dampened hopes of an economic resurgence.
