Almost all the UK front pages are dominated by the announcement of the latest US tariffs. The US media started reporting yesterday that a blanket 20% tariff on all non-American goods is set to be introduced.
Much of the UK media is speculating on how the tariffs will impact the UK economy and the prime minister’s attempts to secure a last-minute deal.
Donald Trump is set to announce his tariff plans at 21:00 pm (BST) today.
Trump tariffs announced today as UK told to prepare for the worst
Donald Trump’s tariffs could cost at least 25,000 jobs in UK amid Liberation Day carnage
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its emotive language and framing. The phrase “could cost at least 25,000 jobs” presents a speculative yet alarming prediction, potentially exaggerating the impact without certainty. The use of “Liberation Day carnage” adds dramatic and unrelated imagery, heightening the sense of chaos and negativity. By directly linking Trump’s policies to job losses in the UK, the headline frames the tariffs as damaging while omitting any potential justifications or benefits.
- The Daily Mirror says the UK is “braced for new wave of tariffs today.” The paper says the president has trailed the measures for weeks, initially suggesting the tariffs would match whatever levies other countries impose, but as the deadline nears, US media say it could be a blanket 20% tariff on all non-American goods.
Starmer’s 11th-hour bid to halt trade war
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its dramatic framing and choice of words. The phrase “11th-hour bid” suggests urgency and possible desperation, implying that Starmer has delayed action until the last possible moment. Meanwhile, “halt trade war” presents the situation as severe and combative, reinforcing the idea that Starmer is intervening in a high-stakes crisis. This framing could make him appear either as a last-minute saviour or as having failed to act sooner, depending on the reader’s perspective.
- The Daily Teleraph reports it’s now down to the “11th hour” for PM Keir Starmer to “halt the trade war” with the US president. It’s unclear how the UK will be hit by the taxes on goods, but the paper says No 10 has concessions prepared “to spare us the worst of ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs.”
Donald Trump’s crippling ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs threaten crisis for Rachel Reeves with Chancellor’s headroom to be wiped out just one week after cuts
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its emotive language and framing. The word “crippling” is highly charged, suggesting severe harm, while “threaten crisis” amplifies fear and uncertainty. The phrase “Chancellor’s headroom to be wiped out” implies total financial ruin, making the impact seem more extreme. By framing the issue as a direct threat to Rachel Reeves, the headline personalises the economic challenge, potentially making her appear vulnerable or unprepared.
- The Daily Mail warns the tariffs could “wipe out” Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s attempts to balance the books, just a week after she announced a series of cuts. The paper says White House aides have reportedly drafted plans for ‘big-bang’ tariffs of about 20 per cent on most of the £2.3 trillion of goods imported annually to the US.
Scottish economy ‘turbulence’ fear as Trump prepares to unleash tariffs
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its emotive language and speculative framing. The word “turbulence” suggests instability and economic hardship, while “fear” amplifies uncertainty and concern. The phrase “Trump prepares to unleash tariffs” uses “unleash”, a dramatic verb that implies aggression or recklessness, rather than a more neutral term like “introduce” or “implement”. This framing positions Trump’s actions as a looming threat and emphasises potential negative consequences without mentioning any possible justifications or benefits of the tariffs.
- The Scotsman says experts have warned that Scotland’s economy faces a “turbulent and uncertain” future ahead of the impact of tariffs unleashed by the US. The paper says the start of 2025 has seen growing unease as firms prepare for “rising costs and escalating geopolitical tension – most notably the introduction of trade tariffs by US President Donald Trump”, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute.
UK told to ‘prepare for the worst‘ as Trump begins his global trade war
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its dramatic and fear-inducing language. The phrase “prepare for the worst” suggests an impending crisis, heightening alarm without specifying the exact consequences. Referring to “Trump begins his global trade war” frames his actions as aggressive and combative, rather than using a more neutral term like “trade policies” or “tariff measures”. This framing positions Trump’s policies as a direct threat to the UK and the wider world, reinforcing a negative perception.
- The i newspaper leads with a warning from Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who told Parliament that Britain must “prepare for the worst” ahead of Trump’s “Liberation Day.” The paper was still in the dark on the eve of the announcement and whilst Europe plans an immediate retaliation against the US, the PM has said Britain will not over-react.
PM offers US tech firms tax cut in return for lower Trump tariffs
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its framing and choice of words. The phrase “offers US tech firms tax cut” suggests a concession or favour to big businesses rather than a strategic negotiation. Meanwhile, “in return for lower Trump tariffs” frames the exchange as a transactional deal rather than a necessary diplomatic effort. This wording could lead readers to view the Prime Minister’s actions as prioritising corporate interests over broader economic concerns.
- The Guardian says big tech and big taxes the UK imposes on those firms seem to be another level that PM Starmer is willing to enter in order to pave a more favourable path in the global trade war.
Firms told to brace for impact of Trump tariffs: Britain will not retaliate as prime minister pins hopes on US deal
Explainer – The headline contains bias through its dramatic language and framing. The phrase “brace for impact” evokes urgency and potential economic harm, amplifying fear about the tariffs. The statement “Britain will not retaliate” implies passivity or weakness, framing the government’s response as inaction rather than strategic diplomacy. Meanwhile, “pins hopes on US deal” suggests a lack of control or a desperate reliance on American cooperation, potentially portraying the Prime Minister’s approach as risky or uncertain.
- The Times says firms are bracing for the impact of Trump tariffs as the prime minister pins its hopes on a US deal – vowing not to retaliate.
