Trump announces fresh wave of US tariffs as UK hit with 10%

Trump announces fresh wave of US tariffs – Almost all of Thursday’s headlines are dissecting the tariffs announced by the US president yesterday. The UK was hit with a baseline 10% tariff, whilst the EU (who are preparing to retaliate) were hit with a 20% levy – some countries fared even worse with fees as high as 40%.

The UK newspapers generally express relief that the tariffs were not as bad for the UK as expected, with right-leaning media highlighting Brexit’s role in saving Britain from the 20% levy for the EU. The tariffs are set to come into effect on Saturday, with some headlines reporting there is still wiggle room for a deal to be carved out between the UK and US before the tax comes into effect.

Trump announces fresh wave of US tariffs

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Donald Trump tariffs: 6 bombshells from unhinged announcement and what it means for us

Explainer – The headline displays bias through its use of emotive and loaded language, particularly “bombshells” and “unhinged,” which suggest that Trump’s tariff announcement was chaotic and irrational rather than neutral or strategic. This framing implies a negative judgment rather than presenting the news impartially.

• The Daily Mirror says the “world faces an economic war”, reporting the universal 10% tariffs will be placed on all imports into the US that were announced last night, which will go into effect on 5 April. The paper says he “delivered on his threat to slap eye-watering import taxes – tariffs – on every country in the world” and “he battered countries he considers the worst trading partners, who he claims “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered” the United States – with even higher tariff rates.” 

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Trump hits UK with 10% tariffs as he ignites global trade war

Explainer – The headline shows bias through the phrase “ignites global trade war,” which implies that Trump is aggressively instigating conflict rather than making a policy decision. This framing portrays his actions as reckless and inflammatory rather than a standard trade measure.

• The Guardian situates Trump’s “global trade war” domestically, noting the 10% tarriffs on the UK is lower than the 20% that the UK government had expected – a difference, the paper says, comes from Starmer’s more “conciliatory approach to the Trump administration”.

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Brexit dividend saves Britain from worst of Trump’s tariffs

Explainer – The headline shows bias by using “Brexit dividend,” which frames Brexit as beneficial, implying that leaving the EU has directly shielded Britain from harsher tariffs. This positive spin aligns with a pro-Brexit stance rather than presenting a neutral analysis of the situation.

• The Daily Telegraph says Britain will face 10 per cent levies as “president brings in sweeping ‘reciprocal trade measures”. The paper notes that the UK no longer being apart of the EU means Britain was spared the 20% hit. 

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Trump hits UK with 10% ‘reciprocal’ tariffs as he unveils ‘Liberation Day‘ onslaught including 25% on ALL foreign car imports – but Starmer WON’T retaliate as EU faces 20%

Explainer – The headline shows bias through its dramatic and emotive language, such as “onslaught” and “Liberation Day,” which exaggerate Trump’s actions and frame them as aggressive yet triumphant. It also implies weakness in Starmer’s response by emphasising “WON’T retaliate,” suggesting criticism rather than neutrality.

• The Daily Mail says the US president has started a war on ‘foreign scavengers’ and looks at the differences in levies that “Brexit Britain” will face compared to the 20% that the EU has been “hammered with”. Some countries were hit even harder, with Laos getting hit with a 48% tariff rate and Cambodia with 49%. 

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Trump triggers $1 trillion global trade war in threat to UK jobs and wages

Explainer – The headline shows bias through alarmist language, particularly “triggers $1 trillion global trade war,” which portrays Trump’s actions as the direct cause of a massive economic conflict. The phrase “threat to UK jobs and wages” also frames the impact negatively, assuming significant harm rather than presenting a neutral assessment.

• The i newspaper says the “trade war” the president has “triggered” is a “threat to UK jobs and wages.” The paper looks at how the tariffs will impact everyday Britons. “UK growth predicted to fall to 0% next year”, it reports, but all hope is not lost. The paper goes on to say King Charles will act as a “soft power weapon” as British officials seek to minimise the impact of tariffs, sources tell the paper. 

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Trump piles on the tariffs but UK escapes the worst

Explainer – The headline shows bias through the phrase “piles on the tariffs,” which suggests excessive or aggressive action by Trump rather than a neutral policy decision. Meanwhile, “UK escapes the worst” frames the outcome positively for Britain, implying relief rather than providing an objective assessment.

• The Times dedicates the majority of its front page to the tariffs, saying the move will hit all of the UK’s $60 billion worth of annual exports to the US, with economists warning the tariffs could completely wipe out growth in the UK economy next year. 

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UK escapes worst tariffs as Trump hits ‘foreign cheaters‘

Explainer – The headline shows bias by using the phrase “foreign cheaters,” which echoes Trump’s own rhetoric, potentially legitimising his framing of other countries as dishonest. Meanwhile, “UK escapes worst tariffs” presents a sense of relief, subtly implying that Trump’s measures were harsh but Britain was fortunate to avoid the worst impact.

• The Independent says Trump has hit the world with fees as high as 40% as he “rages against friends and foes who’ve ‘ooted, pillaged, rtaped and plundered’ the US”. The paper notes Trump has called the tariffs ‘Liberation Day’ and it will ‘make America wealthy again’ and usher in a ‘golden age’.