Aston Martin to cut up to 20% of its workforce as tariff and China pain rocks automakers

"Trump imposed a 25% tariff on car imports last April, adding export costs to the supercars hand-made in Aston Martin's UK factory. While a subsequent US-UK agreement in May provided some relief for British automakers, there has been fresh uncertainty after Trump introduced a 10% global tariff on exports to the US in response to the Supreme Court ruling against his expansive tariff policy."

"The auto industry, which relies on carefully choreographed global supply chains, has been hit hard by tariff volatility. Major carmakers, including Toyota, GM, and Ford, have said keeping up with the changes in trade policy has cost them billions of dollars."

"Aston Martin reported a £493 million ($666 million) loss for 2025 in earnings on Wednesday, with revenue and vehicle sales both dropping. CEO Adrian Hallmark said in the company's earnings report that 'heightened tariffs in the US and China' weighed on its performance."

Aston Martin announced a workforce reduction of up to 20% while reporting a £493 million loss for 2025, citing tariff volatility as a major challenge. Trump's shifting tariff policy—initially 25% on car imports, then 10% global tariffs, now rising to 15%—has created significant uncertainty for automakers relying on global supply chains. The company expects £40 million in savings from the cuts. While a US-UK trade agreement in May provided temporary relief, renewed tariff increases have destabilized operations. Aston Martin also faces declining sales in Asia-Pacific markets, down 21%, reflecting broader industry struggles with Chinese market collapse and trade policy unpredictability affecting major carmakers including Toyota, GM, and Ford.

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