MP launches ‘Buy Sussex, Back Britain’ campaign in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs

Local Liberal Democrat MP, James MacCleary, has launched a ‘Buy Sussex, Back Britain’ campaign to support local businesses in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs announced this week [April 2nd].

James MacCleary 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 the area’s high streets, including scrapping the jobs tax and overhauling business rates.

Further distress has been caused to farmers in the area after it was reported in the Times that tariffs on US beef, chicken and pork would all be slashed in a proposed agreement between Trump and the UK. It risks undercutting farmers once more in a deal following the Conservatives disastrous Australia and New Zealand deals for farmers.

The Lewes constituency, known for its vibrant local businesses in towns and villages such as Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven, Polegate, Willingdon and Stone Cross has previously shown strong community support for independent retailers and producers. Trump's tariffs risk hitting key local sectors, including speciality shops, farmers' markets, and innovative small manufacturers who are vital to the area's economy.

It was recently estimated that Trump’s tariffs could wipe out up to 1% of GDP, pushing many British businesses to the wall. The measures announced by the US President last night will see 10% tariffs on UK exports and 25% tariffs on all automotive exports to the US.

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. They included scrapping the growth-crushing jobs tax coming into effect in the coming days and overhauling the broken business rates system to unleash the growth potential of our high streets and manufacturers.

James MacCleary said: “People here in Seaford, Lewes, Newhaven, Polegate and our local villages 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 Sussex, Back Britain’ campaign, to encourage people to play their part in supporting our fantastic local businesses and high street shops at this difficult time.

“This needs to include our brilliant farmers who are at risk of once again being clobbered by a trade deal that effectively sells them out, just as the Conservatives did.

“The Liberal Democrats are 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.”