Waterstones has paused international orders to the United States in the wake of the tariff hikes announced by the Trump administration.
The bookshop announced on its website that it would no longer be accepting orders to the US following the announcement that UK businesses would be subject to a 10% tariff on goods entering the US.
The retailer added a note to its international shipping information page stating: “We regret that we are currently unable to accept or ship orders to the US, while we establish options to be compliant with the new tariffs.”
The announcement of the tariffs sent global trade markets into a tailspin yesterday, with retailers like Nike and Adidas finding more than 10% wiped from their share prices as businesses grappled with the news that countries trading with the US would be subject to the highest tariffs in more than a century.
The move by US President Donald Trump took the once-average tariff of 2.5% to more than 22% in 2025, with countries in the European Union facing a 20% rate and China a 34% rate.
In response to the news, UK prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Clearly there will be an economic impact from the decisions that the US has taken, both here and globally. But I want to be crystal clear, we are prepared. Indeed, one of the great strengths of this nation is our ability to keep a calm head. I said that in my first speech as prime minister, and that is how I govern. That is how we have planned, and that is exactly what is required today.”
“Nobody wins in a trade war—that is not in our national interest. We have a fair and balanced trade relationship with the US. Negotiations on an economic prosperity deal — one that strengthens our existing trading relationship, continue, and we will fight for the best deal for Britain.”
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