Trading Tension: UK Entrepreneurs Face Trump Tariffs
Did you hear the latest buzz? A recent poll by the entrepreneur network Helm shows that more than a third of British business owners are feeling the tremor of Donald Trump’s tariff threat.
Out of 400 Helm members—whose combined revenue totals a staggering £8 billion—37 % admitted they’re worried that those tariffs could chip away at their margins. The U.S. is the United Kingdom’s second‑biggest export avenue, accounting for 22 % of all exports (right after the EU). A shock to that can feel like a surprise pop‑quiz in your balance sheet.
Why Most Entrepreneurs Pick Their Wallets Off the Trading Floor
- All‑goods focus: The proposed tariffs hit only physical goods, so 63 % of Helm members don’t see their day‑to‑day operations being hit.
- Service‑savvy: Those who send services instead of goods, or simply trade with other regions, remain largely untouched.
- Negotiation games: Many believe Trump’s stance is a bargaining bluff—like a rogue trader holding a mock-up of a lock.
Inside the Helm Club: Mixed Opinions
Andreas Adamides, CEO of Helm, says, “Our members are sharply split. Some fear rising costs and supply chain hiccups, while others see fresh trade routes sprouting like mushrooms after rain. Resilience and flexibility are the real bosses here.”
Syd Nadim, founder of Clock (a digital‑solutions firm with roughly 40 % of its income from the U.S.), notes, “Trump’s tone feels like a bluff‑spraying show. We’re unfazed because services are exempt, but the wider economic wave still trips us in the belly.”
Maz Darvish, CEO of Cognition Hub (AI solutions), chimed in: “Taking the de‑minimis threshold out could level the playing field for U.S. SMEs. If the UK and EU follow suit, e‑commerce would flourish and consumers would dodge unsafe imports.”
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Harry Zalk, co‑CEO of Matrix Group, says, “Tariffs are going to yank our prices up like a rubber band stretching out—import costs will spike, and the $800 no‑duty limit disappearing means even tiny e‑commerce bits will feel the pinch.”
Tobi Schneidler (Bouncepad), shares, “The U.S. market is our North Star. The tariffs would knot up the road that Brexit already tangled, making U.S. exports even harder to chase.”
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