Trump's Steel Tariffs: By Order of the Peaky Blinders, is Britain Safe?

The American Blinder

Right so Trump's gone and done it again. Slapped a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports to the States. Says it's to protect his own steel industry. Like I didn't see that coming. It’s all economics you see a bloody game of chess and Trump thinks he's making the right moves. But sometimes the king sacrifices a pawn to win the war. The question is who's the pawn in this game? 'Whiskey,' I ordered neat. Business as usual almost.

Britain's Temporary Truce: Is it Enough?

They've given Britain a "temporary reprieve," keeping our tariffs at 25% while they sort out this 'Economic Prosperity Deal'. Sounds like a fancy name for a backroom handshake to me. Gareth Stace from UK Steel is calling it 'a welcome pause,' but he’s still worried. And he should be. Uncertainty is a dangerous game especially when dealing with Americans. As I told Alfie Solomons once "You negotiate from a position of strength not weakness."

The Fine Print: A Deal with the Devil?

Trump's threatening to hike the tariff on Britain up to 50% after July 9th if we don't play ball with his 'EPD'. It’s a game of leverage plain and simple. The Yanks need something and they think they can squeeze it out of us. But I know a thing or two about squeezing. 'Everyone's a wh*re Grace. We just sell different parts of ourselves,' I said to her once. Turns out countries do the same.

Europe's Fury: Countermeasures Incoming

The EU's spitting feathers talking about 'countermeasures.' Good luck to them. Trump's not a man who backs down easily. This whole thing undermines their trade negotiations. They'll be trying to retaliate. More disruption more opportunities for those who know how to navigate the chaos. Opportunity is everywhere you just have to know where to look. 'When you plan something well there's no need to rush,' I'd say.

The Price of Steel: Inflation and Opportunity

Analysts reckon U.S. steel prices will jump hitting industry and consumers. Higher prices for cars canned goods the lot. In Europe it’s a mixed bag. Some benefit from lower prices as the surplus steel floods in. Someone's always making money even in a crisis. The trick is to be the one holding the cards when the music stops. Always. And I always have an ace up my sleeve.

Specialist Steal: A Glimmer of Hope?

Chrysa Glystra from UK Steel says much of our steel exports to the US are 'specialist high value' stuff they can't get anywhere else. So some Yank customers might still pay the tariff. But she’s right 25% is punitive 50% is prohibitive. It looks like the Americans are trying to drive us out of business. But we're Peaky Blinders we always find a way to survive even when the odds are stacked against us. 'We're a family,' I always say and families look after each other.