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UK to explore hitting Trump with retaliatory tariffs as markets plunge – recap


The UK will explore launching retaliatory tariffs against Donald Trump after the President’s ‘Liberation Day’ levies on all foreign nations plunged global markets into chaos.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he will request input from businesses on possible counter measures while still seeking an economic deal with the US.

It comes as UK markets plunged immediately after trading opened this morning after Trump’s tariffs on US imports sparked worldwide chaos.

London’s FTSE 100 Index dropped sharply on opening, falling 122.4 points or 1.4% to 8486.09 after Trump slapped a 10% tariff on all UK goods exported to America.

Check below for a recap of todays events 

Read: Everything you need to know about Donald’s trade war and how it could play out

Trump tariffs decision brutal and unfounded, Macron says

French President Emmanuel Macron chairs a meeting with representatives of the sectors affected by new tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (Mohammed Badra, Pool via AP)

After a meeting with industry representatives, French President Emmanuel Macron says Trump’s tariffs are a ‘shock for international trade’.

He continued by discussing the ‘massive impact’ it will have on the European economy.

The decision that was announced last night is a brutal and unfounded decision.

Adding that the US economy and consumers will emerge ‘poorer and weaker’.

Percy Pig a potential victim of Trump’s tariffs

Just days after Percy Pig launched in the US, the iconic sweet may have to return home.

Just four days ago Percy Pigs landed on target shelves for $3.99 as M&S’s ‘gift to America’.

However, the chair of M&S Archie Norman admitted at the Retail Technology Show yesterday that “we might have to change our minds” as Trump’s tariffs loomed.

Government needs to ‘up its game’, says Mel Stride

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride speaks during an event organised by the Centre for Policy Studies on April 02, 2025 in London, England. The event saw Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, David Miles of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and City A.M. journalist Alys Denby face questions from Robert Colville of the CPS. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Shadow chancellor Mel Stride said the Government needs to “up its game” and secure a deal with the US to avoid tariffs.

Asked whether he was concerned about the impact of tariffs on the UK economy, Mr Stride said:

Of course, we have to be concerned. We’re a very open economy, and this will have a serious impact.

Speaking on a visit in south London, the shadow chancellor added:

I think the really disappointing thing is the amount of time that was wasted by this Government before it got in the room with the American administration to try and negotiate that vital free trade agreement so that we don’t have to face these tariffs at all.

What the Government has got to do now is up its game and go and get that deal so that we can be spared this tariff.

JD Vance urges US to be ‘patient’

Rep. Daniel Meuser, R-Pa., and Vice President JD Vance talk after President Donald Trump an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Vice-President J D Vance is urging Americans to be patient as the US braces for the impact of Trump’s tariffs.

Yes, this is a big change. I’m not going to shy away from it, but we needed a big change.

Speaking to Fox News, he warns Americans living on a tight budget that things aren’t likely to get better ‘overnight’.

We cannot keep going down the Joe Biden globalist pathway where we have $2 trillion of peacetime debt and deficits.

For 40 years, we’ve had an economy that rewards people who ship American jobs overseas and raises taxes on American workers and we’re flipping that on its head.

Jeans, whiskey and … cricket balls: The 400-page list of US goods that could face tariffs

UK officials have drawn up a mammoth 417-page list of US imports that could be hit with tariffs in revenge for Trump’s White House attack on global trade.

Consumer favourites like Levi’s jeans, Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Harley Davidson motorcycles are all in the astonishingly lengthy document.

They were subject to tariffs during the trade wars in Mr Trump’s first term in the White House.

But the comprehensive list also covers items from livestock and raw meat like chicken wings to rollercoasters, cricket balls, live bees and tailors’ dummies.

And in a move that may horrify the golf-loving president, the list includes club and ball brands made in the USA.

Ed Davey calls for government to stand with allies against Trump

Watch: Moment Trump ally compares Newsnight host to a ‘kindergartner’

A Donald Trump ally compared Victoria Derbyshire to a ‘kindergartner’ before threatening to storm off camera during a fiery interview about the new US tariffs.

Sebastian Gorka, who is the president’s deputy assistant, clashed with the veteran journalist during an extraordinary exchange on BBC Newsnight.

It comes after Trump sparked a trade war by unveiling a crippling series of tariffs as part of his ‘liberation day’ speech.

Talking to Derbyshire, Gorka insisted the UK should be grateful to receive one of the lowest tariff rates – despite the looming threat to the nation’s economy.

Watch the interview below:

‘The operation is over’, Trump compares US to ‘healing’ patient



Read More: UK to explore hitting Trump with retaliatory tariffs as markets plunge – recap

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