Reeves rejects ‘Buy British' campaign as a response to US tariffs
The Chancellor dismissed 'inward-looking' calls from MPs for a publicity drive that would urge shoppers to buy more goods and produce grown in the UK.
It comes as Downing Street looks to change procurement rules to give an advantage to British firms bidding for government contracts.
Answering questions in the Commons on Tuesday, Ms Reeves was asked by Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats' Treasury spokesman, to 'commit to a 'Buy British' campaign'.
She replied: 'In terms of buying British, I think everyone will make their own decisions.
'What we don't want to see is a trade war with Britain becoming inward-looking, because if every country in the world decided they only wanted to buy things produced in their country, that is not a good way forward.
'Our country has benefited hugely from access to global markets and we want to continue to be able to do that because that is in our national interest, for working people and businesses in our country.'
Her remarks were later echoed by the Prime Minister's official spokesman, who said Sir Keir Starmer believes it should be up to individual shoppers which products they choose to buy.
Asked if Sir Keir agreed with his Chancellor, the spokesman said: 'Well, of course, we're an open trading nation. That is something the Prime Minister and Chancellor have previously said. We want to see fewer trade barriers around the world.
'At the same time we also continue to prioritise and support British manufacturers, British producers… We can take a two-fold approach, we can be an open trading nation while also supporting British producers and manufacturers.'
Challenged on why the Prime Minister would not launch an official campaign, the spokesman replied: 'It's up to people to decide what they want to buy.
'We're not going to tell people where they buy their stuff, but the Government is always going to back British producers and manufacturers.'
A poll of 2,170 people by Savanta carried out over the weekend, from April 4-6, found almost six in 10 people (59 per cent) would support a campaign to buy more British-made goods.
Exactly half of those surveyed said they were now less likely to buy US goods in the wake of the global tariffs announced by Mr Trump.
Ms Cooper said the Government refusing to back a Buy British campaign was 'an insult to businesses being pushed to the brink'.
'This is completely out of touch with the British people who are rallying behind local businesses in their time of need,' she said.
'Buying British is a powerful way that people can get behind local businesses and show that as a country we won't give in to Donald Trump's bullying.'
Downing Street's approach is a contrast to plans being drawn up that would see major public sector projects instructed to favour British companies bidding for contracts.
This principle could apply to new transport infrastructure, offshore wind or defence investments that will be announced in this year's industrial strategy and spending review.
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