Two-thirds of British entrepreneurs believe Donald Trump’s second term as US president will be “good for business”, according to a poll by Helm, a network for founders.
The survey found that 66 per cent were optimistic about the Trump White House, while 33 per cent considered it “bad for business”.
Helm represents £8 billion in British business, with the average revenue of each member firm standing at around £21 million. Many see Trump’s pro-business stance—illustrated by corporate tax cuts and deregulation during his first term—as a potential boon for UK enterprises.
However, those same entrepreneurs are aware of possible pitfalls. Trump has floated large tariffs of 10–20 per cent on imports from all countries and a potential 60 per cent rate on goods from China. Oxford Economics has warned a “full-blown Trump trade war” could provoke a mild recession and push inflation above 3 per cent.
UK business secretary Jonathan Reynolds recently commented that such tariffs would likely exacerbate inflation and unemployment, calling Trump’s administration “challenging for anyone responsible for trade in a big economy”.
Andreas Adamides, CEO of Helm, noted the optimism but acknowledged the unpredictability, saying: “Our members are sharply divided on the broader implications of Trump’s presidency. What stands out is that two-thirds are optimistic about its potential impact on their businesses. This bullish sentiment likely reflects Trump’s pro-business policies, which many entrepreneurs believe could provide opportunities for growth. However, this optimism is tempered by valid concerns over unpredictability and potential market volatility.”
David Atkinson, founder of marketing agency Agency Space, sees a short-term lift but warns: “Longer term, this is not a good thing. But I think the US and UK economy will receive a short-term bump.”
In contrast, Shelley Hoppe, founder of SBC, highlights the downside of potential turmoil: “I don’t think Trump will be good for business. He creates a lot of chaos and uncertainty, which makes markets volatile, everyone more anxious, and planning more difficult.”
Despite concerns about tariff hikes, Brexit repercussions, and geopolitical uncertainties, many British entrepreneurs remain hopeful that Trump’s second presidency could open the door to new international trade opportunities, at least in the near term.
