Black Country exporters are reassessing their trade relationships with the United States following renewed threats of significant tariffs from President Donald Trump.
The Black Country Chamber of Commerce today warned at least one of its members has made the decision to halt doing business in America.
President Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on aluminium and steel imports and has now pledged a further 10% tariff on eight European countries, including the UK, linked to disputes over Greenland.
Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse said these measures could have a severe impact on the West Midlands – a region that produces 40% of the UK’s automotive output and is home to a significant portion of the country’s manufacturing base.
Sarah said: “Trade is the most effective way to grow our economy but that growth depends on stable, predictable trade relationships.
“When businesses face the prospect of uncertainty and new tariffs on top of new tariffs, investment and expansion plans get shelved.”
Chamber member Bowers & Jones, a Bilston-based manufacturer of equipment for the international metal forming industry, has already made the decision to withdraw from US trade.
Sarah added: “Bowers & Jones is a prime example of how this tariff uncertainty is already causing real damage to our regional economy. They’ve made the difficult decision to stop pursuing new business in the United States.
“The risk of tariffs being imposed on orders the company has already committed to is too great. Their customers demand a fixed delivered price and with the threat of tariffs looming, it’s simply not feasible for us them to offer customers that kind of stability.
“Our businesses have built strong transatlantic relationships over decades. These tariff threats undermine that competitive advantage and put skilled jobs at risk across the region.
“We are calling on the government to prioritise negotiations to remove these tariff threats. Our exporters need certainty, not more disruption.”
The Chamber has said it is continuing lobby government and trade bodies for action to protect exporters and is keen to hear from businesses which may be affected.
