Manufacturer of high value and high performance butterfly valves, Tomoe Valves, in Newport, Wales have seen the positive side to Trumps tariff announcement.
As international competitors wrestle with steep new tariffs, the Welsh firm has emerged as a top choice for US buyers on the hunt for competitive prices.
Denise Cole, Tomoe’s finance director, expressed her enthusiasm: “When I heard his announcement, it was happy days for me.” Previously, restricted by pricing disadvantages, Tomoe is finally seeing a shift in momentum.
“We could never compete with our competitors in Asia because we couldn’t match their prices,” Denise explained. “But now we’re on a level playing field and we make a better product.”
Tomoe Valves is hopeful the tariffs could have a broader impact beyond just her business. She believes they might help bring manufacturing jobs back to the UK, much like what Trump is trying to do in the US.
The industry has lost out on many well-paid jobs have been lost to cheaper overseas labour, but Denise thinks this shift could encourage some of that work to return.
Tomoe Valve, which has been exporting butterfly valves to the U.S. for over 30 years and employs 40 people, saw a major boost recently with a £1.2m order from the US for 2024/25 — a clear sign that changing trade conditions are working in their favour.
Denise believes Trump’s push for protectionism might actually benefit Britain too. “It might end up helping the UK the same way he hopes it helps the US,” she said.
She also sees bigger opportunities ahead: if the UK secures a trade deal with the US she believes more companies will look to set up or expand manufacturing operations here.
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