New official figures show US tariffs are already hurting Scottish businesses, with almost one in ten reporting direct impact in the past month alone. Manufacturers and goods exporters are taking the biggest blows as additional costs pile up and orders get squeezed.
The Scottish Government’s latest Business Insights and Conditions Survey (Wave 151), published today, 12 March 2026, reveals the real-world damage from Washington’s trade measures. The numbers land just as firms warn they cannot absorb more pressure without passing costs to customers or cutting jobs.
Manufacturers Feel the Sharpest Pain
The manufacturing sector stands out as the hardest hit. Fully 21% of manufacturers with ten or more staff say US tariffs hurt them in February.
That is more than double the national average of 9.6% across all sectors.
Many produce goods that face steep US import duties, from machinery and electronics to food and drink components. One medium-sized engineering firm in Glasgow told researchers the tariffs added six figures to their annual costs overnight.
Goods Exporters Face Rising Costs Fast
Among businesses that exported goods in the past year, the damage climbs higher. More than one in four goods exporters (25.7%) felt the impact of US tariffs in the last month.
The single biggest problem? Extra costs.
An estimated 19% of exporting firms say tariffs pushed up their expenses straight away. Others report delayed shipments, cancelled orders, or customers switching to cheaper American or Asian suppliers.
Scottish salmon, seafood, and specialist spirits producers appear especially exposed, with the United States remaining one of their largest overseas markets.
Wider Worry for Jobs and Growth
Business leaders say the timing could not be worse. Energy prices stay high, consumer spending remains cautious, and many firms still carry debt from the pandemic years.
When tariffs force exporters to raise prices or eat the cost themselves, profit margins shrink fast. That puts pressure on wages, investment, and ultimately jobs.
One trade body spokesman in Edinburgh said this morning: “These are not abstract numbers. They are real Scottish factories, real livelihoods, and real communities that depend on open trade with America.”
What Happens Next
The Scottish Government stressed the data only covers February. If tariffs stay in place or widen, the damage will grow.
Some firms are already looking at new markets in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East. Others hope London and Edinburgh can secure exemptions or negotiate relief, as happened with steel and aluminium duties in 2022.
For now, thousands of Scottish businesses wait and watch, hoping the trade storm passes before it does lasting harm.
The message from factories and boardrooms across the country is clear: US tariffs are not just a headline in Washington. They are hitting pay packets and futures right here in Scotland.
What do you think? Are tariffs fair game in global trade, or are they hurting ordinary workers on both sides of the Atlantic? Drop your thoughts below.
