'It's ridiculous!' Scots fear Donald Trump's 'single-minded' tariffs on Britain: 'It will have a big impact'

WATCH NOW: How Trump’s Tariffs Could Hit the UK Hard

GB News
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 03/04/2025

- 15:11

Updated: 03/04/2025

- 16:15

The UK was handed one of the lowest tariff rates at 10 per cent, with other countries including China, Taiwan and Thailand being hit with tariffs of more than 30 per cent

Residents of Glasgow have expressed their concerns for US President Donald Trump's incoming tariffs on Britain, fearing they will have a "big impact" on the standard of living.

Delivering his list of reciprocal tariffs to the world on Wednesday night, Trump claimed that foreign countries, "friend and foe", have "looted, pillaged, raped and plundered" America.


The UK was handed one of the lowest tariff rates at 10 per cent, with other countries including China, Taiwan and Thailand being hit with tariffs of more than 30 per cent.

Speaking to GB News, Scottish locals told reporter Tony McGuire that they are "worried" about the impact the tariffs will have on their standards of living.

Glasgow residents, Donald Trump

Glasgow residents have expressed concern for the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on Britain

Reuters / GB News

One man told GB News: "Why has no other president ever come up with something like that? Why does it have to come from him?

"Why is it him and why is it different to other presidents? It seems to be very single-minded to do it."

Another Scot expressed his concern for the impact on working people of the nation: "I'm hoping this is not going to affect the economy, but I think and I hope it's not going to affect the standard of living here.

"Obviously these tariffs are going to make a big impact on Britain, so I am worried about that."

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Trump with tariff chartUnveiling a list of the upcoming tariffs, Trump said levies will not be fully reciprocal rate but will instead be half the tariff rate for some countriesREUTERS

Another Glasgow resident hit out at the tariffs imposed by Trump, claiming the move is "ridiculous", and predicted more UK businesses could close down in Britain as a result.

She fumed: "This year I think it's going to be difficult for people, there's going to be more of everything more closing down, businesses - they're even on about the whisky today in Scotland.

"And I think these tariffs are ridiculous."

Reacting to the tariffs today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Britain "has to protect itself", stressing that "nobody wants a trade war".

Glasgow resident

Glasgow residents feared for a decline in living standards following Trump's tariff announcement

GB News

​Starmer said: "We have to adapt in ways that go beyond the mere question of tariffs."

Asked whether the UK could allow imports of chlorine washed chicken in order to appease the US, the Prime Minister’s officials spokesman said: "Our position on that is unchanged.

"You’ve got the manifesto commitment on food standards, which obviously remains."