How will Trump’s tariff chaos impact UK public relations?

How will Trump's tariff chaos impact UK public relations ? PR’s H1 Review 2025 with W Communications founder Warren Johnson On the PRmoment podcast.

Every six months or so I like to catch up with Warren Johnson from W Communications to talk about the financial state of UK PR.

And as Q1 is done and dusted, Trump is having endless fun throwing tariffs at the global economy, and we've just finished the agenda setting PRmoment Awards season: now seems like a good time.

And before we start, do check out the homepage of PRmoment. We’re entering our pre summer golden events period and there is a LOT going on. We’ve got webinars, lunches, networking and face to face conferences and events.

Everything is on the PR Calendar, which you can access from the homepage of PRmoment but do check out our next webinars:

In an Era of Global Doubt: How can Brand Communications be Optimistic? On 29th April. This webinar is free to attend.

And Creative Moment Creative Campaign Case Studies on 30th April, tickets are £35 + vat

Thanks to the PRmoment Podcast sponsors, The PRCA.

Here’s a summary of what PRmoment founder Ben Smith and Warren discussed:

1.30 min How does Warren see the impact of Trump's Tariff Tax on public relations?

“We are going into a tariff era… He’s trying (misguidedly) to shift the burden of tax from income tax to tariff tax. Anyone who has studied economics knows that is not going to work.”

“The randomness of them is going to sow quite a bit of economic uncertainty.”

“I fear that just as we were starting to see quite an encouraging financial year ahead of us, I think many of us had a strong Q1, I fear that we’re going to slip back into the great inertia post Covid.”

4 mins Warren, PR’s resident economist (he did an economics degree) gives us his insight into why tariffs are unlikely to work from an economics perspective.

6 mins What are brand communicators likely to do about Trump? 

“Whilst there are opportunities there will be unexpected threats as well. I’m not sure where comms will net out.”

“I don’t think we’ve (PR) had more than 6-8 months to have a really good run at things since 2020."

8 mins Warren reviews a very good Q1 performance for UK PR.

13 mins Is the PR new business market still busy?

14 mins Warren on the margin pressure currently experienced by agencies?

“Constant procurement overreach, to the point of bullying.”

Paid media briefs: how is paid media supporting editorial ideas?

15.30 mins What PR services are clients buying?

“Loads of influencer and a bespoke blend of integrated marketing services. I haven't seen a press office brief for 3 or 4 years.”

19 mins Warren on the evolution of paid behind earned media creative across multiple channels, including media owners.