Lib Dem MP launches ‘Buy Surrey, Back Britain’ campaign in the wake of Trump’s tariffs

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

Helen Maguire MP 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 Epsom & Ewell’s high streets, including scrapping the jobs tax and overhauling business rates. 

A number of businesses in Epsom & Ewell have already expressed their grave concerns over the latest tax hikes - with the latest rise in National Insurance squeezing small independents, leisure and hospitality businesses the hardest - leaving a number of business owners facing near-insurmountable challenges.

It was recently estimated that Trump’s tariffs could wipe out up to 1% of GDP which would push 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. 

Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire said:

“People here in Epsom & Ewell 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, and my local Liberal Democrat colleagues are launching a ‘Buy Surrey, Back Britain,’ campaign, to encourage people to play their part in supporting our fantastic local businesses and high street shops at this difficult time.

“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.”

“I, and my local Liberal Democrat colleagues will continue fighting for a fair deal that puts local businesses, business owners and our high street first.”