Donald Trump’s 25 % tariff on UK steel and aluminium starts 12 December 2025. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism hits British exporters with up to 30 % extra duties from January 2026. India has just raised tariffs on British whisky to 150 %. Global trade is turning hostile again, and Britain’s small and medium exporters are in the firing line.
A single 20-foot container of British biscuits to the United States now faces an extra £4,800 in tariffs. A Scottish knitwear firm exporting £250,000 a year to the EU will pay an additional £45,000 in carbon taxes. These are not multinational giants with legal teams and lobbyists – these are family firms that have spent a decade rebuilding export markets after Brexit.
The government has £9 billion set aside for “strategic trade measures” in the 2025 Budget. Not one penny is earmarked for SMEs. Large corporations get bespoke deals and legal support. Small firms get a polite letter telling them to “diversify markets”.
We need a £300 million SME Trade Defence Fund – now.
- £5,000 instant grant for every business with turnover under £10 million that can prove new or increased third-country tariffs since January 2025.
- Free access to trade lawyers and customs specialists for the first £50,000 of legal or consultancy fees.
- 0 % government-backed loans to cover tariff payments for 12 months, repayable only when markets stabilise.
This is not protectionism; it is survival. The United States offers its small exporters tariff rebates and legal funds. The EU has a €1.2 billion SME trade resilience pot. Britain has nothing.
Without urgent help, thousands of small exporters will simply stop trading internationally. Jobs will go. Factories will close. Communities will suffer.
Give Britain’s small exporters the same fighting chance the rest of the world gives theirs.
The 1832 Club is fighting for these changes. The more members we have, the louder our voice in Westminster.
Join today from just £5/month or £40/year and help to support pro-SME candidates.
Together we can make a difference.