MERIDEN and Solihull East MP, Saqib Bhatti, visited JLR in Solihull to find out more about its vital economic role.
Mr Bhatti arranged the visit amidst the backdrop of President Trump’s 25 per cent tariff on vehicle imports to the United States.
More cars are exported to the United States than any other good, with the 12-month period up to the third quarter of 2024 reaching £8.3billion.
JLR is one of Britain’s biggest car makers serving global markets, including the United States, and employs around 38,000 people.
Given the importance of JLR and the automotive industry to the West Midlands’ economy, Mr Bhatti has followed the impact of President Trump’s tariffs closely.
Since the tariffs were announced the Meriden and Solihull East MP has written to the Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds MP, to express his concerns about the impact on the UK’s car industry.
Mr Bhatti sought the Minister’s assurances that the Government are doing all they can to secure British industry in this period of deep uncertainty.
In addition, the Conservative MP took part in high-level meetings with Members of the US Congress and senior business leaders in.
This included a roundtable with Congressman Richard Hudson, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska, discussing the scope for a US-UK trade agreement.
Mr Bhatti said: “I was pleased to visit the JLR site in Solihull to learn more about the UK automotive industry’s and JLR’s importance to the economy against the backdrop of President Trump’s tariffs on the sector.
“It’s essential the Government do all they can to support and protect the thousands of jobs in the car industry and the wider supply chain, which are a source of fierce pride in the West Midlands.
“I will continue to champion the UK’s automotive industry as the MP for Meriden and Solihull East.”
