Brexit made businesses abandon the UK. Trump's hefty EU tariffs could bring them back

In 2016, the U.K.'s vote to leave the EU prompted many businesses to shift operations to the European continent, taking investment and headcount with them.

Fast forward to 2025, and the specter of U.S. President Donald Trump's 30% trade tariffs on the EU, which will kick in on Aug.1 unless a trade deal is reached, could bring them back.

“The U.K. could be a big indirect winner” if the threatened U.S. duties on the EU become a reality, according to Alex Altmann, partner and head of the German desk at London-based accountancy and business advisory firm Lubbock Fine.

“If the tariff rate for the EU finally ends up anywhere near this 30% level then the U.K.'s much lower U.S. tariffs would offer a major incentive for EU companies to shift some of their manufacturing to the U.K. or to expand their existing U.K. facilities,” he noted in emailed comments.