Trump tariff chaos threatening local jobs, says North Devon MP

North Devon’s MP has called on government ministers to meet with businesses in the region urgently to hear first-hand how Donald Trump’s tariff chaos is threatening local jobs.

America is once again at the centre of tariff driven confusion as the US Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday (May 28) to block key Trump tariffs, before a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated them yesterday (Thursday) and now it looks set to go to the US Supreme Court, as stock markets reacted and bounced like yo-yos.

Ian Roome has called for Labour’s Business Secretary to meet with businesses here to provide clarity on what the US court ruling pausing the tariffs means for North Devon and if it could unravel recent trade commitments, putting local jobs at risk.

Businesses currently exporting goods to the US, are subject to a crippling 10% tariff, which threatens jobs locally tied to export-driven sectors. Industry groups have already raised concerns that the ongoing confusion could see new costs or restrictions imposed on local firms.

Mr Roome’s party the Liberal democrats is is calling for the Government to summon the US ambassador to provide a full explanation about what is going on and the potential impacts for trade with the UK.

Mr Roome said: “I’ve spoken with many local businesses and organisations, and alongside the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions, ongoing global trade uncertainty is a big cause for concern.

“Labour’s trade deal with Donald Trump risks being thrown into disarray with this news. Businesses across our area simply cannot take any more of this uncertainty.

“The Business Secretary must come to North Devon, meet local businesses and explain what this all means for them.”

After reinstating the tariffs on Thursday, the federal appeals court ordered the plaintiffs in the cases to respond by June 5 and the US administration by June 9.