Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director and co-host of The Rest is Politics US, has expressed concerns over the implications of Donald Trump’s recent election victory for UK-US trade relations.
Speaking exclusively to Business Matters, Scaramucci reflected on the potential challenges that British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) might 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 very ‘us versus them’, particularly regarding non-white immigrants in the United States. I hope that as he takes on the mantle of leadership again, he considers 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 a vocal critic, acknowledged the effectiveness of Trump’s campaign.
“He won the popular vote; it’s a democracy,” Scaramucci noted. “He’s my president, he’s your president, and I do wish him well. But I’m worried. If he executes on the rhetoric from his campaign, it might benefit some but 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 that the UK might receive favourable treatment.
“I think he likes 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 emphasised the role of Robert Lighthizer, expected to be the architect of Trump’s trade policy. “Lighthizer believes the US was taken advantage of in past trade agreements. His approach will be aggressive and could be rough. It’s important to understand where they’re coming from, as outlined in his book No Trade Is Free: Changing Course, Taking on China, and Helping America’s Workers.”
Criticism of Joe Biden
Scaramucci also commented on the Democratic Party’s performance to the US Election Hub and the role of former President Joe Biden in Vice President Harris’s defeat:
“The number one reason she lost was Joe Biden,” he stated. “You can’t put someone in that position with only 105 days to campaign. There’s a lot of frustration among women in the Democratic Party. They feel he set her up to fail.”
He continued: “Because of his age and the perception that his time was ending, he couldn’t effectively respond to Trump’s amplified rhetoric. Trump capitalised on this, strengthening his position. Ironically, Joe Biden, who opposed the MAGA movement, may have inadvertently fuelled it.”
Looking Ahead
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. He’s going to put extremists in place. The irony is that Joe Biden’s actions may have created more challenges for those opposing Trump’s agenda.”
As UK businesses navigate this new political landscape, the potential for changes in trade policy under Trump’s administration remains a critical consideration. SMEs exporting to the US should stay informed about policy developments, particularly regarding tariffs and trade agreements, to mitigate risks and identify opportunities in the evolving US market.