Prøve GULL - Gratis

Small businesses like mine will be hit hard by Trump

The Independent

|

April 02, 2025

As the owner of a small tech company based in Manchester, I am used to taking an agile approach to things. You have to adapt in order to thrive.

- MARK BROWN

Small businesses like mine will be hit hard by Trump

But it is increasingly difficult to predict the ways in which the president of the United States is going to affect my business.

The pace at which Donald Trump chops and changes his mind – as well as the amounts he has threatened to slap on imported goods – is enough to give anyone whiplash.

In February, Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports. A few days later, he changed his mind and increased the levy to 20 per cent, this time excluding low-cost items (under $800/£620) – a threshold, for now, we largely sit below.

My company, Editors Keys, supplies creatives – influencers, podcasters and the like – with high-quality kit: slimline keyboards and recording equipment for video editing and sound production.

Even before Trump’s “Liberation Day”, when the president is expected to impose dollar-for-dollar tariffs on goods imported into the US, he has already done damage to my business.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Independent

The Independent

The Independent

Scotland withstand Greek attacks in epic comeback

Lewis Ferguson netted his first Scotland goal as Steve Clarke's side came from behind to beat Greece 3-1 and maintain their promising start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

time to read

2 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Macron on 'last chance' as he clears way for latest PM

French president Emmanuel Macron is set to name his sixth prime minister in less than two years, hoping the new appointment can navigate a budget through a deeply divided legislature.

time to read

2 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

The shocking truth about the 'ordinary' killer Nazi

In an infamous picture from the Second World War, an SS soldier blithely prepares to shoot a Jewish prisoner. The murderer's identity has finally been revealed and shows what can happen when we lose our humanity, writes Guy Walters

time to read

6 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

'I always knew that she wasn't my sister Madeleine'

Amelie McCann gives evidence in trial of alleged stalker

time to read

3 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

SOUND AND VISION

Peter Doig's House of Music exhibition at the Serpentine South Gallery combines the world's most influential painter's twin passions of art and music, writes Mark Hudson

time to read

3 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

'Finally, a good morning'

Joy was widespread in both Gaza and Israel as Trump's deal was agreed - but caution around the fragile peace remains

time to read

3 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Former civil servants find PM's China take 'puzzling'

Ex-national security adviser says superpower always a theat

time to read

2 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Benefit loans trap 500,000 children in cycle of poverty

Families borrow cash as they wait weeks for first payment

time to read

3 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

Israel and Hamas take their first step towards peace

Aid set to surge into Gaza as remaining hostages are released

time to read

4 mins

October 10, 2025

The Independent

The Independent

China sees UK concessions as weakness, not diplomacy

The government's failure to act against alleged Beijing spies shows a worrying lack of spine, writes Mark L Clifford

time to read

5 mins

October 10, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size