Donald Trump has pulled the pin on a 25% tariff grenade – and the shrapnel is flying straight into the heart of the West Midlands.
Our region isn’t just known for making cars; it is the car industry. Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, hundreds of suppliers – the Midlands powers Britain’s automotive engine. But Trump’s latest tariff tirade threatens to stall the entire system.
The former US President’s decision to impose sweeping levies on all foreign-made vehicles could cost global carmakers up to $110bn. For West Midlands exporters, it’s a direct hit. JLR, Bentley, and others have no manufacturing presence in the US, leaving them brutally exposed. Prices could rise, demand could fall, and jobs could disappear.
Trump says it’s about protecting American jobs. But let’s not be fooled – this is economic theatre, and Britain’s factories are just collateral damage. With trade between the US and Europe already strained, this move ramps up the uncertainty just as our local industry is trying to recover and transition to electric.
The timing couldn’t be worse. Investor confidence is delicate. Supply chains are already under pressure. And now, British-made vehicles face becoming unaffordable in one of our largest export markets.
The West Midlands doesn’t need tariffs – it needs trade, stability, and leadership. If the UK government doesn’t act swiftly, we risk watching one of our proudest industries be dismantled, piece by piece, gear by gear.
This isn’t just about policy. It’s about people. About factory floors in Solihull, engineering apprentices in Coventry, and families who’ve built their lives around our world-class automotive sector.
Trump may be playing to the gallery in Washington – but the curtain’s falling here.
