Donald Trump’s plans to impose tariffs on the UK could have serious consequences for British businesses and consumers. While government officials negotiate trade agreements, UK consumers have the power to push back economically. By making strategic choices in spending and consumption, Britons can send a clear message that unfair trade policies will not go unchallenged.

One of the most effective ways to respond is by avoiding American-made products. The US relies heavily on exports to the UK, and a reduction in demand could send a strong economic signal. Some key areas to consider:

1. Vehicles:

• 🔴 Avoid:
• Ford, Tesla, General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac)
• ✅ Choose instead:
• Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Bentley (British)
• BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Renault (European)
• 📢 Why? UK-made cars support jobs at home while reducing dependence on US manufacturing.

2. Boycott US Oil & Gas – Choose British & European Energy

🔴 Avoid:

• US crude oil, petrol, and natural gas imports
• ExxonMobil, Chevron fuel stations

✅ Buy British/European:

• BP, Shell (UK-based energy companies)
• Octopus Energy, Ovo Energy, British Gas (UK energy providers)

📢 Why? The US is one of the biggest oil & gas exporters to the UK. Reducing reliance will impact American energy companies.

3. Food & Drink:

• Coca-Cola / Pepsi → Fentimans, Belvoir, Cawston Press, Karma Cola
  • UK-based brands offering colas, ginger beer, and natural fruit sodas.
• Tropicana / Gatorade → Innocent Juices, Cawston Press
  • Innocent Smoothies and Juices are UK-based with a commitment to sustainability.
• Monster Energy / Red Bull → Tenzing Natural Energy
  • A UK brand offering a plant-based, healthier alternative to energy drinks.
• Starbucks Coffee → Taylors of Harrogate, Union Hand-Roasted, Pact Coffee
  • UK coffee brands with ethical sourcing and high-quality blends.

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Fast Food Chains (Support British Restaurants Instead)

• McDonald’s / Burger King → Honest Burgers, Byron, Leon
• KFC → Morley’s, Chicken Cottage (UK-based fried chicken chains)
• Domino’s / Papa John’s → Franco Manca, Pizza Pilgrims, Pizza Express
• Subway → Pret A Manger, Greggs

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Processed & Packaged Foods

• Kellogg’s Cereals → Weetabix, Jordans, Dorset Cereals
  • Weetabix is UK-made and a great alternative to Cheerios or Corn Flakes.
• Pop-Tarts → McVitie’s Toasting Waffles, Soreen Malt Loaf
• Pringles → Seabrook, Pipers, Kettle Chips
  • UK crisps brands with locally sourced ingredients.

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Sauces, Condiments & Snacks

• Heinz Ketchup → Stokes, Tiptree, The Foraging Fox
  • British brands making ketchup with natural ingredients.
• Hellmann’s Mayonnaise → Stokes, Tracklements
  • UK-produced mayo using high-quality ingredients.
• French’s Mustard → Colman’s Mustard
  • Norwich-based mustard with a strong British heritage.
• Jif Peanut Butter / Skippy → Whole Earth, Meridian, Sun-Pat
  • UK peanut butters with fewer additives.
• Doritos / Walkers (PepsiCo) → Pipers, Ten Acre, Fairfields Farm
  • Pipers is an award-winning British crisp brand.

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Ice Cream & Confectionery

• Ben & Jerry’s / Häagen-Dazs → Marshfield Farm, Jude’s, Mackie’s
  • UK-made ice creams using local dairy.
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups → Montezuma’s Peanut Butter Chocolate
  • A British chocolate brand with ethical sourcing.
• Oreo → McVitie’s Penguin Bars, Tunnock’s Tea Cakes
  • British alternatives to sandwich biscuits.

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Supermarket Staples

• Kraft Mac & Cheese → Sainsbury’s / Tesco / Waitrose own-brand macaroni cheese
• Hershey’s Chocolate → Cadbury’s (though owned by Mondelez, it’s still made in the UK), Montezuma’s, Hotel Chocolat
• American-style baked goods → Mr Kipling, McVitie’s, Tunnock’s

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Coffee Chains & Cafés

• Starbucks → Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, Pret A Manger, independent UK cafés

4. Support British and European Alternatives

Shifting spending towards UK and EU businesses strengthens the domestic economy while reducing dependency on American trade. Ways to do this include:

• Buying British-grown food and UK-made goods where possible.
• Supporting British independent retailers instead of US chains like Amazon.
• Choosing European airlines over American carriers when travelling.
• 🔴 Avoid:
• Airlines that primarily use Boeing planes (American Airlines, United, Delta)
• ✅ Choose instead:
• British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet (which use Airbus planes)
• Airbus (European aircraft manufacturer) over Boeing
• 📢 Why? The US exports billions in aircraft sales—hitting Boeing will send a strong message.

5. Reduce US Digital & Entertainment Consumption

The US dominates the entertainment industry, but UK consumers can redirect their engagement to local content:

• Cancel or reduce subscriptions to US streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, and explore alternatives such as BBC iPlayer and BritBox.
• Support UK film and music industries instead of Hollywood blockbusters and American artists.
• Use UK-based alternatives to US social media platforms where available.

6. Choose Travel Destinations Wisely

The US benefits significantly from British tourism. Instead of visiting America, consider alternative destinations:

• European holiday spots such as Spain, France, and Italy.
• Commonwealth countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
• UK-based holidays to boost domestic tourism.

7. Consumer Activism & Public Pressure

Consumers can drive change by:

• Encouraging UK supermarkets and businesses to source goods from Europe instead of the US.
• Contacting MPs to demand a stronger UK trade strategy in response to Trump’s tariffs.
• Spreading awareness through social media campaigns and petitions to rally public support.

8. Shift Investments & Spending Power

For those who invest in stocks or pensions, consider moving money away from US-based corporations and towards UK and European firms. Even small shifts in investment portfolios can have a cumulative impact.

9. Ditch US Pharmaceuticals – Support UK & EU Healthcare

🔴 Avoid:

• American drug manufacturers like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Merck

✅ Buy instead:

• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), AstraZeneca, Sanofi (British/French pharmaceutical giants)

📢 Why? The UK has a strong pharmaceutical sector, so there’s no need to rely on US imports.

Final Thoughts: Buy British, Support Local

By switching to these UK alternatives, consumers can: ✅ Support British farmers and manufacturers.
✅ Reduce reliance on US imports.
✅ Enjoy fresher, locally produced goods.
✅ Send a message against unfair US trade policies

While government policies shape trade relations, consumers have more power than they realise. By choosing where to spend their money and what industries to support, UK citizens can collectively push back against unfair US tariffs. Small individual choices, when made by millions, can create a substantial economic impact.

Demand Government Action – Push for Tariff Retaliation

• Email/write to your MP urging them to impose counter-tariffs on US goods.
• Support trade deals with Europe, Australia, and Asia instead of the US.
• Sign petitions opposing unfair US trade practices.

Join the movement: Share this blog, start conversations, and make informed spending choices