Former UK chancellor Jeremy Hunt has told the Guardian that the country should not retaliate if US President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on British goods. Hunt made the comments hours after Trump began a trade war with China, imposing 10% tariffs on Chinese imports.
Hunt said the UK does not have enough economic leverage to start a trade war with the US, citing the fact that Britain’s exports to America account for less than 0.5% of US GDP. He warned that such a move would be bad for British manufacturers and inflation.
The UK has traditionally flourished on free trade, Hunt added, and removing trade borders in 1846 was a key moment in its economic history. A trade war would harm British businesses that rely heavily on imported materials and increase inflation.
Hunt’s comments come as the government prepares for potential US tariffs on British goods. The former chancellor’s views may put pressure on his party leader, Kemi Badenoch, to back the government’s decision not to retaliate in a trade dispute with Washington.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/feb/04/hunt-starmer-should-not-retaliate-if-trump-hits-uk-with-trade-tariffs