MPs have slammed Rachel Reeves for appearing to slap down calls for a “buy British” campaign amid Donald Trump’s tariff blitz. The Chancellor warned she did not want the UK to become “inward looking”.
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, 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.
“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.”
MPs and campaigners have called for “buy British” initiatives following US President’s levies on imports into his nation, as well as Ms Reeves’s inheritance tax raid on farmers whi need extra support.
This includes 10% on all British imports into the US. That’s on top of previously announced tariffs on cars and steel.
The announcements have sparked a global trade war and chaos in the financial markets, leading to concerns about how the tariffs will impact British people.
Asked if the Prime Minister would echo the Chancellor’s sentiment, his official spokesman said: “Well, of course, we’re an open-trading nation. That is something the Prime Minister and the Chancellor have previously said, and we want to see fewer trade barriers around the world, such that we’re continuing to support our economy.
“At the same time, we also continue to prioritise and support British manufacturers, British producers.
“We have a significant programme of support, whether it’s farmers, whether it’s manufacturers, as yesterday with supporting the car industry. So, we can take a two-pronged approach. We can be an open-trading nation whilst also supporting British producers and manufacturers.”
Asked why the Government would not make this an official campaign, the spokesman replied: “Well, it’s up to people decide where they want to buy.
“We are not going to tell people where they buy their stuff, but the Government is always going to back British producers, British manufacturers.”
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokeswoman Daisy Cooper MP said: “The Chancellor’s comments are an insult to businesses being pushed to the brink by Donald Trump’s trade war. This is completely out of touch with the British people who are rallying behind local businesses in their time of need.
“Instead of talking down our high-streets, the Government needs to send a clear message to the White House that they stand squarely behind British businesses and against Trump’s damaging tariffs.
“We Liberal Democrats have been clear that we want to see the Government going further and faster on working with our European and Commonwealth allies at the same time as launching this Buy British campaign as part of a national effort to boost British businesses at home and abroad.
“Buying British is a powerful way that people can get behind local businesses and show that as a country we won’t give in to Donald Trump’s bullying.”