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Chancellor rejects ‘Buy British’ plan amid trade tensions

Albie Matthews 09 April 2025
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has firmly rejected calls for a “Buy British” initiative to counter US tariffs, warning against the dangers of an “inward-looking” trade approach.

During a session in the House of Commons, Ms Reeves responded to Liberal Democrat suggestions that the public should support British products in the wake of new US tariffs imposed by President Trump.

She said: “In terms of buying British, I think everyone will make their own decisions. What we don’t want to see is a trade war with Britain becoming inward-looking, because if every country in the world decided that they only wanted to buy things produced in their country, that is not a good way forward.”

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Ms Reeves added: “Our country has benefited hugely from access to global markets, and we will continue to want to be able to do that because that is in our national interest for working people and for businesses in this country.”

The debate on a “Buy British” campaign gained momentum after Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey posted a video on social media urging people to support British goods.

Mr Davey, dancing with a packet of square sausage and a box of Mrs Tilly’s Scottish Tablet to the tune of the Village People’s “YMCA”, said: “There is this guy, and he is called President Trump and he’s messing with our trade and it’s hurting us.

“The Liberal Democrats say fight back, buy British.

“And so, I’m here in the Highlands in Scotland and I’m saying buy square sausage, I’m saying buy Mrs Tilly’s famous Scottish Tablet.

“And wherever you are, just buy British. Don’t let him get away with it.”

Criticism

Despite the lighthearted tone, the video has faced criticism.

Twitter users pointed out that the square sausage featured in the video was made with non-UK beef and pork, with one user remarking: “To make it to the top in politics you need forensic attention to detail. Without that you can look a bit foolish.”

Another wrote: “The man’s a blithering idiot” and “Mr Davey is worth the giggles, but not much else.”

In response to the social media comments, a Lib Dem spokesperson said: “The product Ed featured in his TikTok is made with UK and EU pork and beef, and manufactured in Scotland by a family run business.

“Many products, of all kinds, contain ingredients or components from more than one country, which is why the global tariff war being waged by Donald Trump is so damaging and misguided.

“Given the hit that British farmers are facing due to this, it’s right that we go out of our way to support them by buying their excellent produce even more than normal.

“That’s why we are calling on the government to launch a Buy British campaign, to back our nations brilliant farmers, producers and manufacturers.

“We’re also demanding that the government give MPs a vote in Parliament on any US trade deal. We don’t want to see British farmers clobbered by a trade deal that sells them out, just as the Conservatives’ Australia and New Zealand trade deals did.”

The calls for a “Buy British” campaign follow the US’s imposition of new tariffs, including a 10% charge on all British imports, which has sparked concerns about the economic impact on the UK.

Addressing the ensuing market turmoil, Ms Reeves assured: “We have your backs.”

Warning that UK government decisions are putting the future of Scottish farming and food production at risk, NFU Scotland president Andrew Connon said: “Farmers across Scotland are already pulling back investment, cutting jobs, and in some cases, being forced to walk away from their businesses.

“We understand the pressure on public finances, but if the government wants economic growth, it must start with food security and the rural economy.”

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