Wokingham’s member of parliament, Clive Jones, has launched a ‘Buy local, Back Britain’ campaign to support local businesses in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
He said that people should “rally round” local businesses at risk from the economic shock caused by Donald Trump’s “disastrous” trade war, including local producers and high street shops.
The Liberal Democrats are also calling on the government to come forward with a raft of measures to help businesses stay afloat and protect Wokingham’s high streets, including scrapping the jobs tax and overhauling business rates.
The MP said he has spoken with many businesses in Arborfield, Finchampstead, Wokingham, and Twyford, who have explained the serious impact that rising NI contributions and increasing business rates are already having on their finances.
One business was unable to offer a pay rise to their staff due to the cost of covering NI contributions.
It was recently estimated that Trump’s tariffs could wipe out up to 1% of GDP which would push many British businesses to the wall.
The measures announced by the US President have introduced 10% tariffs on UK exports, and 25% tariffs on all automotive exports to the United States.
The Liberal Democrats have outlined a number of steps the Government should already be taking to back British businesses in the face of Trump’s tariffs and stagnant economic growth.
Clive Jones said: “People in Wokingham are deeply concerned about the impact that Donald Trump’s disastrous trade war could have on our living standards and local businesses.
“That is why I am launching a ‘Buy local, Back Britain’ campaign, to encourage people in Wokingham to play their part in supporting our amazing local businesses and high street shops at this difficult time.
“I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues, am also urging the Government to unleash the potential of our local high-streets by reforming business rates, and dropping their jobs tax which is set to hammer businesses in the coming days.”
