British businesses left reeling after Trump quietly brings in tariffs on hundreds of goods – affecting some of the UK’s biggest firms

British businesses have been left furious after Donald Trump quietly brought in tariffs on hundreds of goods. 

Some of the UK’s biggest firms will be affected as products including condensed milk, shampoo, children’s highchairs and motorcycles are set to be hit by the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 25 per cent on hundreds of new categories that technically contain steel or aluminium. 

While British bosses scramble to work out the implications of the tariffs, the government is also working to determine the fallout on UK manufacturers. 

The new list includes washing machines, garden furniture, fire extinguishers, and parts of a child’s cot or highchair. 

Surprisingly, the list also includes condensed milk, shampoo and perfumes that come in aluminium packaging.

The unexpected move came after pressure on the White House from US steel companies to fulfil Trump’s pledge to prioritise the domestic economy. 

It was slipped out by the Department of Commerce, and has been described as ‘very damaging to British industry’.

JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald said the expanded tariffs would hit all 30,000 of the diggers and construction machines it exports to America each year 

Shampoo is on the new list of products affected by the Trump administration’s tariffs 

Craig Beaumont, executive director at the Federation of Small Businesses, told The Times: ‘These expansive product restrictions were due to be permanently resolved in post-deal negotiations by now. 

‘UK and US negotiators must buckle down quickly and do that, updating our SME exporters on what to expect at US customs.’ 

Triumph Motorcycles, Britain’s largest manufacturer of motorbikes, was among those caught by surprise by the move. 

Nick Bloor, the chief executive, said: ‘The recent announcement by the US Commerce Department has come as a surprise, especially given the recently negotiated trade agreements.’  

JCB chief executive Graeme Macdonald said the expanded tariffs would hit all 30,000 of the diggers and construction machines it exports to America each year.

He said: ‘The tariffs as they now stand are hugely punitive and they catch every machine we ship to the US. It will make us have to reconsider how we trade with North America.’

Children’s highchairs could also be hit by the White House’s decision

Triumph Motorcycles, Britain’s largest manufacturer of motorbikes, was among those caught by surprise by the move 

JCB had previously expected a tariff hit of around £2million.

For UK manufacturers using thousands of components – often sourced from suppliers who do not always provide a breakdown of their origins – complying with the rules ‘will be extremely difficult’, according to the Construction Equipment Association. 

This weekend, postal services across the world announced they are halting shipments to the US amid Trump’s tariffs.

They claimed they have not received guidance from the US about the new rule ensuing they pay import duties on all parcels entering the country – and decided to suspend service to the US until the issue is resolved.