Eastern Devon MP urges residents to “buy local” as fears grow over Trump tariffs

Richard Foord, MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, has urged Eastern Devon residents to “buy local”, after he listened to business people at Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce last week.

The town’s traders told him of their fears about the impact of disastrous US tariffs - imposed by President Trump - when Mr Foord met with them last week.

The trade barriers were imposed as National Insurance contributions soar – a double whammy for local businesses to cope with.

“Many of our businesses here are worried about the damage that Trump’s trade war will do, especially after being hammered by the rise in the Chancellor’s ‘jobs tax’, that came into force a few days ago.

“When I met with Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce last Wednesday (9 April), business owners told me they were concerned about the rise in employer’s national insurance, in addition to the impact that trade uncertainty and tariffs are having on consumer confidence.

“Some are worried that even harder times are coming for town centres.

“The Government has a fine line to tread, of course, but it feels very much as though we’re not standing up for our businesses – and they desperately need some good news, after years of hardship.

“We have some excellent producers, manufacturers and retailers in this part of Devon. The Government should be supporting them, rather than leaving them at the mercy of Donald Trump’s next whim.

“I know people here are ready and willing to support our local businesses and ‘buy local'. Whether family farms, tourism and hospitality, or our manufacturing sector, Liberal Democrats will always back local businesses and join with them to stand up to Trump’s assault on the global economy.”

After speaking with businesses in Sidmouth, Mr Foord visited Supacat at Dunkeswell, as they hosted the head of the British Army – the Chief of the General Staff.

The visit reinforced Mr Foord's view that Government procurement would do well to "buy British" too - a cause that the Liberal Democrats have taken up in the media and in Parliament.

Richard Foord continued: “Businesses here in Mid- and East Devon will be disappointed that the Government has not embraced the campaign to “buy local” in this time of need. I hold out hope that they will yet come up with a package of measures that will help sustain businesses across our towns and villages."