British industrialists call on the government for a trade deal with the United States

British manufacturers will start cutting jobs “within weeks” if the government fails to strike a deal to protect the UK economy from Trump’s tariffs. The industrialists said this at a hearing in parliament, The Guardian reports.

Executives from the automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors warned parliamentarians of expected job losses this summer if the United States moves forward with global tariffs. Otherwise, the British government may need to introduce a furlough scheme similar to the Covid pandemic to cover the salaries of those likely to lose their jobs.

According to Steve Turner, assistant general secretary of Unite, the US trade tariffs imposed less than three weeks ago have prompted some manufacturers to reduce workers through agencies and temporary positions.

The warning about job losses was echoed by Stephen Phipson, chief executive of the manufacturers’ trade group Make UK. He also said that many manufacturers are currently developing temporary contingency plans. They hope that in the next month or two there will be some understanding of the situation and they will not have to move to the next level – reduced demand, reduced production capacity and similar problems.

In April of this year, the UK announced the expansion of financial support for exporters by £20 billion ($26 billion), including those affected by US tariffs, to provide them with stability.