Trump tariffs and UK manufacturing: what it means for electric heating companies and customers

Trade tariffs can sound like something that only affects politicians and stock markets. But in reality, they can ripple through everyday products, from raw materials, to components, to shipping costs.

First things first: what is a tariff?

A tariff is basically a tax on goods crossing a border.

• If a country puts a tariff on imported goods, those goods can become more expensive.

• Sometimes the cost is paid at the border by the importer, but it often works its way into prices further down the chain.

Tariffs can be introduced quickly, changed, expanded to new product categories, or removed, which is why they can create uncertainty for manufacturers and customers.

Why are people talking about “Trump tariffs” again?

In the US, tariffs were a major policy tool during Donald Trump’s presidency, and they’ve remained a live topic in US politics.

Depending on what policies are proposed or introduced, tariffs can affect:

• The cost of materials and components

• The cost of exporting to the US

• Global supply chains (because suppliers may reroute production)

Important note: tariff rules are detailed and product-specific. This article is about the general impact tariffs can have, rather than claiming any one specific tariff will apply to any one product.

What tariffs can mean for a UK manufacturer

Even when a product is made in Britain, modern manufacturing still relies on global supply chains.

Here are the most common ways tariffs can affect a UK manufacturer.

1) Higher costs for certain imported materials

Some materials simply aren’t available locally in the right quantity or type.

For example, our NEOS radiators use a natural stone core (soapstone) — and because we don’t exactly have volcanoes in Yorkshire, that stone is sourced internationally.

If tariffs affect the cost of importing specific materials into a market, or if global demand shifts because of tariffs elsewhere, it can put upward pressure on costs.

2) More uncertainty (which can be just as disruptive as cost)

Even if costs don’t rise overnight, uncertainty can:

• slow down purchasing decisions

• make suppliers cautious

• increase lead times

• cause short-term price changes in global commodities

For manufacturers, planning is everything, ordering materials, scheduling production, and keeping deliveries on track.

3) Export complexity (especially for the US)

If a UK business sells into the US (or plans to), tariffs can add:

• extra paperwork

• extra costs

• extra unpredictability

That can affect how companies price, stock, and plan international projects.

Our CEO on BBC 4 

Our CEO, Fiona Conor, recently spoke on BBC Radio 4 about how tariff changes can influence real manufacturing decisions.

Fiona explains that Trust Electric Heating wants to expand in the US market, and the team has been weighing up two routes:

• Exporting from the UK (simpler, and supports UK jobs)

• Manufacturing in the US (potential tax benefits, and may reduce exposure to tariffs)

Her key point is straightforward: if tariffs rise, exporting becomes a more expensive route, and that can push innovative companies towards setting up manufacturing inside the US instead.

She also highlights the second big issue businesses face: uncertainty. When companies don’t know which sectors will be affected, or what the next policy move will be, it becomes harder to plan investment, hiring, and long-term growth.

What this could mean for customers

If you’re a homeowner or a facilities manager, you’re probably thinking: “Okay… but what does that mean for me?”

Here are the most realistic customer impacts.

1) Pricing may be less predictable across the whole market

When supply chains get squeezed, it’s not always one brand that changes, it can be the whole category.

That doesn’t automatically mean prices will rise, but it does mean you may see:

• more frequent price updates

• shorter quote validity periods

• longer lead times on some finishes or components

2) Lead times can change (even if you’re buying in the UK)

If global suppliers shift where they send stock, or if certain components become harder to source, lead times can move.

3) Customers may value reliability and longevity even more

When the world feels a bit unpredictable, people often lean towards products that are:

• built to last

• supported properly

• backed by a strong guarantee

That’s one reason we talk openly about long-term value, not because it’s a sales pitch, but because it’s a practical way to reduce hassle over time.

A quick word on Trust Electric Heating’s approach

We can’t control global politics, but we can control how we run our business.

At Trust Electric Heating, our focus stays the same:

• Manufacturing in Britain wherever possible

• keeping quality and safety standards high

• being transparent and fair with customers

We’ll keep sharing clear, plain-English updates in the Trust-Ed Centre as the picture develops.

What you can do if you’re planning a heating project

If you’re mid-renovation or planning work later this year, here are a few sensible steps:

1. Plan early where you can (especially for larger properties or commercial sites)

2. Ask about lead times at the point of quote

3. Keep your spec flexible (for example, be open to alternative finishes if needed)

4. Focus on whole-life value, running costs, reliability, and warranty support matter

Get In Touch

Tariffs are one of those “big world” topics that can feel far away, until they affect the cost or availability of everyday things.

If you’d like to talk through a project (domestic or commercial), you can contact our team here:

Phone: 0800 5999 109

Email: [email protected]

Tags: News.