Gas guzzling supercars are set to be exempted from the 2030 ban on new petrol vehicles as ministers scramble to help companies hit by Donald Trump‘s tariff war.
Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to ‘back British brilliance’ as he confirmed yesterday that luxury vehicle manufacturers, such as Aston Martin, Bentley and McLaren, will be allowed to continue selling petrol-only models beyond the cut-off year.
In a victory for ‘white van man’, ministers have also agreed to delay the ban on petrol and diesel vans until 2035. Swingeing fines on manufacturers which fail to hit targets for selling electric vehicles have also been reduced and postponed while firms try to cope with the 25 per cent tariff on exports to the US announced by Mr Trump.
In a speech today, the Prime Minister will warn that Britain is facing a ‘new era following the US President’s tariff blitz.
Sir Keir is expected to say that decades of ever-increasing globalisation are coming to an end, requiring the Government to do more to build up the economy.
And he is expected to announce the fast-tracking of parts of Labour’s new industrial strategy – not due until the summer – to help firms hit by tariffs.
Last night, he said: ‘Global trade is being transformed so we must go further and faster in reshaping our economy and our country. I am determined to back British brilliance. Now more than ever UK businesses and working people need a Government that steps up, not stands aside. That means action, not words.’
Sir Keir spent the weekend calling world leaders to urge a ‘calm’ and co-ordinated approach to Mr Trump’s plans. China and Canada have already announced retaliatory tariffs, heightening the risk of a global trade war. Yesterday, Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, told the BBC: ‘Globalisation, as we’ve known it… has come to an end.
The PM said he wanted to ‘back British brilliance’ as he confirmed that luxury vehicle manufacturers will be allowed to continue selling petrol-only models beyond the cut-off year
US President Donald Trump has announced a new 25% tariff on all imported cars, threatening UK producers’ largest single export market (pictured Bentley motors can be seen wrapped at their eco-friendly factory in Crewe)
In a speech today, the Prime Minister will warn that Britain is facing a ‘new era following the US President’s tariff blitz
‘That’s why we need Britain to be strong and resilient, also build out our relationships with our allies and partners around the world, but also why we have to invest in the domestic economy, both for UK businesses, but also our public services, so that we have workers… who are well-skilled [and] able to take advantage of jobs in the UK.’
