Tariffs

You’re right when you say were ’still paying’…

MayBee70

ROMILO

Today I read that the EU is threatening 50% tariffs on British steel. Instead of reading the UK is threatening 50% tariffs on German cars or French food ( that would concentrate their thinking) we will no doubt have Starmer with his appeasement face and his begging bowl. Much as I dislike most of what Trump does at least he always puts the United States first.
Isn't it long overdue for someone, anyone to put the United Kingdom first?

The EU looks after its own. Why shouldn’t they?

Time we did too, and told the EU where to get off. We paid far too much to be a member, and now we are still paying.

As to steel, our coal industry was decimated when British Steel bought subsidised Polish coal instead of the coal being mined on its doorstep, putting miners on to the dole.

We buy in steel because we stopped producing the steel we needed. Steel is not just steel, and we produce some of the specialist quality stuff the EU does not. Now the govt is allowing Tata (who own British Steel) to stop producing some of these types.

As has been stated there are many cars built in the UK but none are UK owned

Morgan isn’t nor Aston Martin or McLaren

ROMILO Wed 08-Oct-25 09:52:09
"Today I read that the EU is threatening 50% tariffs on British steel. Instead of reading the UK is threatening 50% tariffs on German cars or French food ( that would concentrate their thinking) we will no doubt have Starmer with his appeasement face and his begging bowl. Much as I dislike most of what Trump does at least he always puts the United States first.
Isn't it long overdue for someone, anyone to put the United Kingdom first?"

You admire Trump as you believe he puts America first and he imposes tariffs on other countries. Logically you therefore also admire the EU as you believe that it also puts the EU first and imposes tariffs on none EU countries.

As others have said, the UK voted for Brexit (52% to 48%) , on a very narrow margin, so it only has itself to blame if the EU decides to pose trade tariffs on the UK as a result of our Brexit vote. By January 2025, living with the consequences and 5 years after we left the EU, a Yougov poll identified just 3 in 10 Britons now say that Brexit was the right thing to do.

In light of the EU 50% threat to UK Romillo, you state "we will no doubt have Starmer with his appeasement face and his begging bowl ". How would you specifically like Starmer/the government to respond to the EU tariff threat Romillo in a way that puts the UK first in your view?

Quite a few cars are made in the UK still, according to AI:

‘Premium and sports car manufacturers
Aston Martin: Produces all its models in the UK at factories in Gaydon and St Athan, Wales.
Bentley: Has its main production facility in Crewe, England.
Jaguar Land Rover: Produces a wide range of Jaguar and Land Rover models in the UK.
Lotus: Manufactures its sports cars in the UK.
McLaren: Builds its supercars in the UK.
Mini: Has a major manufacturing plant in Oxford, England.
Rolls-Royce: Produces its luxury vehicles at the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England.
Other volume and international manufacturers
Nissan: Produces vehicles like the Qashqai at its UK factory.
Toyota: Manufactures models such as the Corolla at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.
Vauxhall: Produces models like the Astra in the UK.
MG Motor: Continues to have a presence in the UK.’

None of them are British owned companies though - although
I’d still rather buy a car made here regardless of that. I’d buy an Aston Martin DBX, made here in Wales if I had the odd £200k going spare..

Same here ,MaizieD.

Casdon

mokryna

The UK wouldn’t have this problem if the public hadn’t been lied to, for the Brexit vote. Are there any cars that are completely made in the uk and owned by a British company?

Morgan? No mainstream or average priced cars that I’m aware of, although some models owned by non British companies are manufactured in the UK.

Ha ha, Casdon 🤣

Morgan was the only one I could think of. Hardly a high volume popular car…

Nissan is still holding on at Sunderland, doesn’t Honda have a presence somewhere? and Jaguar Landrover is restarting production. None British owned.

Casdon

mokryna

The UK wouldn’t have this problem if the public hadn’t been lied to, for the Brexit vote. Are there any cars that are completely made in the uk and owned by a British company?

Morgan? No mainstream or average priced cars that I’m aware of, although some models owned by non British companies are manufactured in the UK.

Casdon If I won the premium bond draw I would buy a green Morgan. Next month maybe……but then there is the waiting list!

At least Starmer, an ardent remainer, has tried to rebuild our damaged relationship with our European neighbours. Lets not forget Truss's stupid, childish comment re France [or was it re Macron]?

rowyn

I am thinking thank goodness we didn't join the EU

Give us one reason why please!!

mokryna

The UK wouldn’t have this problem if the public hadn’t been lied to, for the Brexit vote. Are there any cars that are completely made in the uk and owned by a British company?

Morgan? No mainstream or average priced cars that I’m aware of, although some models owned by non British companies are manufactured in the UK.

suelld, you could equally ask why the complacent Politicians be more informative about why we should stay. However, it really is water under the bridge it really doesn't help with what is happening today.
Now, with Trump, after his first term it begs the question, "Who didn't foresee what was coming." He showed his true colours the first time around! Now he appears to have licence to do what he wants.

MaizieD

I'm thinking that if we hadn't so stupidly left the EU those tariffs wouldn't apply to us.

Hear hear… why did people believe the Lying Politicians. Just like Trumps Maga peoples… almost no one e does their own research. If they had they might have realised that both leaving the EU for us and electing Trump for the US was a bad idea from day 1.
By the way Trump never puts the US first, he ALWAYS puts what’s good for Trump first! Look at his eulogised Peace Plan in Gaza… why did he try to get that done… well he said it himself…REAL ESTATE …Trump Gaza Riviera! Not interested in what happens to the Gazan peoples… just akways pretend humanity with an ulterior motive!

The UK wouldn’t have this problem if the public hadn’t been lied to, for the Brexit vote. Are there any cars that are completely made in the uk and owned by a British company?

I don’t agree with cars being shipped over the Atlantic, I want to buy from the UK or Europe wherever I can. Something else to keep an eye on.

petra

Casdon

northerngardener

My “German” car was built in Mexico…..

I’m guessing you don’t live in Europe northerngardener?

We imported approx 18,000 Mexican produced German cars in 2024.

Not just Mexico BMW VW and Mercedes all have US factories that supply certain models to UK

Casdon

petra

Casdon

northerngardener

My “German” car was built in Mexico…..

I’m guessing you don’t live in Europe northerngardener?

We imported approx 18,000 Mexican produced German cars in 2024.

You’re right, I’ve since been looking this up. I knew vehicle manufacture was a global market, with different engine and body parts made all over the world, but I didn’t realise whole cars were produced in Mexico for sale in Europe - it appears to be model specific, with some models being made in Europe, and some there, with different models crossing the globe.

Casdon
Two factors at play here. Labour costs and the close proximity to the US market. Germanys largest market.

MayBee70

ROMILO

Today I read that the EU is threatening 50% tariffs on British steel. Instead of reading the UK is threatening 50% tariffs on German cars or French food ( that would concentrate their thinking) we will no doubt have Starmer with his appeasement face and his begging bowl. Much as I dislike most of what Trump does at least he always puts the United States first.
Isn't it long overdue for someone, anyone to put the United Kingdom first?

The EU looks after its own. Why shouldn’t they?

As I posted above the UK imports more steel from the EU than it sells to the EU, so a deal will probably be done.

petra

Casdon

northerngardener

My “German” car was built in Mexico…..

I’m guessing you don’t live in Europe northerngardener?

We imported approx 18,000 Mexican produced German cars in 2024.

You’re right, I’ve since been looking this up. I knew vehicle manufacture was a global market, with different engine and body parts made all over the world, but I didn’t realise whole cars were produced in Mexico for sale in Europe - it appears to be model specific, with some models being made in Europe, and some there, with different models crossing the globe.

Perhaps it is time for closer working.

We already are working much closer regarding defence.

It would certainly give a boost to our economy.

ROMILO

Today I read that the EU is threatening 50% tariffs on British steel. Instead of reading the UK is threatening 50% tariffs on German cars or French food ( that would concentrate their thinking) we will no doubt have Starmer with his appeasement face and his begging bowl. Much as I dislike most of what Trump does at least he always puts the United States first.
Isn't it long overdue for someone, anyone to put the United Kingdom first?

The EU looks after its own. Why shouldn’t they?

Casdon

northerngardener

My “German” car was built in Mexico…..

I’m guessing you don’t live in Europe northerngardener?

We imported approx 18,000 Mexican produced German cars in 2024.

Oh this post said everything I was going to say! Thankyou Dreadwitch!

Trump isn't putting the country first, only a fool would believe that. He's putting himself first, he's doing it for power and no other reasons.

But if people in this country hadn't listened to the lies from the right we wouldn't have left the EU and wouldn't have any tariffs from Europe.

You reap what you sow, how well do you think those tariffs are working for small American companies or the people themselves? I'll tell you... They're not.

If you want to live life like that maybe you'd be better off on the US or a country run by a dictator.

northerngardener

My “German” car was built in Mexico…..

I’m guessing you don’t live in Europe northerngardener?