Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director and co-host of The Rest is Politics US, has expressed concerns about the ramifications of Donald Trump’s recent election win on UK-US trade relations.
Speaking exclusively to Business Matters, Scaramucci spoke about the potential challenges British small and medium-sized businesses may face under Trump’s renewed leadership.
“I think it’s a sad day for a lot of people,” Scaramucci said. “The rhetoric used during the campaign was ‘us versus them,’ especially regarding non-white immigrants in the United States. I hope that when he takes leadership again, he takes into account the need for unity and healing in the country.”
Trump secured another four-year term in the White House on Wednesday, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Scaramucci, who briefly served under Trump in 2017 before becoming an outspoken critic, acknowledged the effectiveness of Trump’s campaign.
He won the popular vote. Scaramucci noted that she is a Democrat. “He’s my president, he’s your president, and I wish him well. But I’m worried. If he carries out his campaign rhetoric, it might benefit some people, but it won’t be good for all of America.”
Implications for UK SMEs
When asked about the potential impact on UK SMEs exporting to the US, particularly in light of Trump’s proposed tariffs, Scaramucci suggested the UK might get preferential treatment.
“I think he loves the UK,” Scaramucci said. “He has pictures with the Queen and has always been fond of the royal family. His mother was a working-class woman from Scotland, so the UK holds personal significance for him. He wants to maintain a good relationship.”
However, Scaramucci emphasized the role of Robert Lighthizer, expected to be the architect of Trump’s trade policy. “Lighthizer believes the United States has been taken advantage of in previous trade agreements. His approach will be aggressive and potentially harsh. It is important to understand where they are coming from, as explained in his book No Free Trade: Changing Course, Confronting China, and Helping America’s Workers.”
Criticism of Joe Biden
Scaramucci also commented on the Democratic Party’s performance before the party US Elections Center The role of former President Joe Biden in defeating Vice President Harris:
“The number one reason she lost is because of Joe Biden,” he said. “You can’t put someone in this position with only 105 days to campaign. There’s a lot of frustration among women in the Democratic Party. They feel like he’s set her up for failure.”
He continued: “Because of his age and the perception that his time was coming to an end, he was unable to respond effectively to Trump’s amplified rhetoric. Trump took advantage of this and strengthened his position. Ironically, Joe Biden, who opposed the MAGA movement, may have unwittingly fueled the movement.
Looking forward
Scaramucci expressed concerns about the future direction of the Trump administration. “He knows who he wants in his cabinet and will likely avoid appointing moderate Republicans. It will put extremists in their place. The irony is that Joe Biden’s actions may have created more challenges for those who oppose Trump’s agenda.
As British businesses navigate this new political landscape, the potential for changes to trade policy under a Trump administration remains a critical consideration. SMEs exporting to the United States should remain informed of policy developments, particularly regarding tariffs and trade agreements, to mitigate risks and identify opportunities in the evolving US market.
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