Investment in R-R 'best protection to tariffs from US'

THE Defence Secretary says the Government's investment in Rolls-Royce is the "best protection" for the company against Donald Trump's tariffs.

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

John Healey visited Derby in January to announce a landmark £9billion deal with Rolls-Royce, which will see its Raynesway site expand as part of a broader package to create up to 1,000 jobs in the city.

Yet the company has been rocked since then by the US president's announcement of sweeping tariffs across the globe.

Rolls-Royce's shares relating to the Derby-based businesses of aerospace, defence and power systems initially took an 18% tumble after Trump's announcement on April 2.

The president said a 10% baseline import tax was being imposed on any country importing to the US, alongside a 25% tariff for cars and automotive products.