Skip to content

Threat of US tariffs leaves local exporters 'nervy'

James Grant & Annabel Amos
BBC News, Northamptonshire
Kate Bradbrook/BBC A man in a white and black chequered shirt and jeans stands next to a large bronze gin distiller. Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Tom Warner of Warner's Gin is worried about the impact tariffs might have on his business of over 12 years

Two business owners who export to the United States say they could be negatively affected if President Trump carries out his threat to impose tariffs on UK products.

Tom Warner, from Warner's Gin, in Harrington, and Nick Jones from Crockett & Jones shoes in Northampton, described the trade situation as "nervy" and "daft".

On Tuesday, Washington postponed plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a month after securing assurances on border security - but warned that the EU and UK could still face restrictions.

Mr Warner said: "It's all a bit nervy at the moment, because we don't know what Mr Trump is going to do. [Tariffs] are a bit of a blunt trauma instrument and no one seems to win."

PA Images Man buffing a new shoe in a factory as a selection are on show on a table in front of himPA Images
Northamptonshire has a global reputation for shoemaking and tariffs would hit the industry hard

Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries.

The 10% tariff on all Chinese imports to the US began at 00:01 ET on Tuesday (05:01 GMT).

A man in a blue shirt stands in front of a large shoe rack with different colour oxford and brogue shoes on display.
Nick Jones said if tariffs are introduced, Crocket & Jones would "have to consider" passing the price on to consumers

Nick Jones, a production director at Crockett and Jones, who have several stores in New York, said: "I'm touching wood the UK doesn't get hit by tariffs and that will be good for everyone because it affects the whole world.

"It's a daft idea, it will hit everyone in some form or other.

"We sell £4-4.5m to the USA so obviously it will hit us badly if the tariffs are on, but I don't think shoes or the UK are high on Trump's agenda so I think we'll be ok."

Mr Warner, whose business has over 200 stockists in America, added: "I'm really hoping everybody calms down, Mr Trump gets his political wins and we all move on because its mutually assured destruction.

"Tariffs don't benefit anybody - consumers will pay more, it will drive up inflation and slow economic growth."

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

More like this