Reeves rejects calls for ‘Buy British’ campaign despite Tump tariff hike
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out backing a “Buy British” consumer campaign in response to US tariffs
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ruled out backing a “Buy British” consumer campaign in response to US tariffs introduced under Donald Trump, arguing that such a move would risk making the UK appear too “inward-looking”.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Reeves responded to calls from the Liberal Democrats to launch a nationwide campaign encouraging people to prioritise British-made goods.
According to Sky News, The Lib Dems’ deputy leader and Treasury spokesperson, Daisy Cooper, urged the government to “commit to a ‘buy British’ campaign as part of a broader national effort to encourage people to buy British here at home”.
Reeves replied: “In terms of buying British, I think everyone will make their own decisions. What we don’t want to see is a trade war, with Britain becoming inward-looking, because if every country in the world decided that they only wanted to buy things produced in their country, that is not a good way forward.”
Downing Street echoed the Chancellor’s position, confirming there were no plans to encourage consumers to shun foreign goods, including those from the US.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: “That is something the prime minister and the chancellor have previously said, and we want to see fewer trade barriers around the world, such that we’re continuing to support our economy. At the same time, we also continue to prioritise and support British manufacturers, British producers.
“We have a significant programme of support, whether it’s farmers, whether it’s manufacturers, as yesterday with supporting the car industry. So, we can take a two-pronged approach. We can be an open trading nation whilst also supporting British producers and manufacturers.”
He added that the UK government would not instruct consumers on where to shop, stating that doing so would be inconsistent with Britain’s stance as an “open, trading nation”.
Cooper criticised Reeves’s response, calling it “an insult to businesses being pushed to the brink by Donald Trump’s trade war”. She said: “This is completely out of touch with the British people who are rallying behind local businesses in their time of need.
“Instead of talking down our high streets, the government needs to send a clear message to the White House that they stand squarely behind British businesses and against Trump’s damaging tariffs. Buying British is a powerful way that people can get behind local businesses and show that as a country we won’t give in to Donald Trump’s bullying.”
Despite rejecting a public-facing campaign, both No. 10 and the Treasury highlighted ongoing efforts to increase domestic procurement.
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: “We already have got significant ambitions to ensure that we’re supporting British industry,” and noted that the Cabinet Office was examining procurement rules.
Reeves had previously fronted a “make, buy and sell more in Britain” initiative back in 2021 while in opposition, which proposed awarding more public contracts to British companies and requiring public bodies to report on domestic sourcing.
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