Aston Martin puts 100 jobs at risk as Trump’s tariffs hit carmaker

Aston Martin has put more than 100 factory jobs at risk as the James Bond carmaker battles the fallout from Donald Trump’s tariffs and a slowdown in China.The company confirmed on Tuesday that it was “taking steps” to strengthen its finances in response to the “global macro-economic environment”.Plans are expected to include cutting more than 100 jobs at the marque’s factory in St Athan, Wales, where the DBX SUV is manufactured. The plant currently employs around 700 people.The Unite union, which represents many workers at the factory, has described the situation as “devastating” and said it was seeking to minimise job losses.Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin’s chief executive, warned of the need for “cost efficiencies” last week as the company revealed a £112m loss for the third quarter of 2025, up from £12m a year earlier.Mr Hallmark blamed headwinds including the ongoing impacts of US trade tariffs – which limit how many UK cars can be shipped across the Atlantic at a lower tariff rate – and “extremely subdued” demand in China, where a new import tax on luxury cars has been imposed.Sales of the DBX, which costs around £200,000, are down by 12pc so far this year against this backdrop.On Tuesday, a spokesman said: “Aston Martin confirms that the company is taking further steps to strengthen its overall position in response to continued challenges in the global macro-economic environment, including the sustained impact of US tariffs and weak demand in China.“As part of our approach to driving operating leverage through disciplined cost management, we are taking actions across our manufacturing sites which may affect contractors, fixed-term and permanent roles, subject to appropriate consultation with union representatives.”Aston Martin has already cut £300m from its capital investment plans and begun a review of future spending that aims to take out at least 5pc of costs.The company’s bosses are counting on the debut of several new vehicles in the coming months to turn things around, including the Valhalla hybrid supercar.It has recently begun deliveries of the Valhalla and the new, open-top Vanquish Volante grand tourer, with deliveries of the Vantage S sports car and DBX S both expected to start in the final quarter of 2025.Deliveries of the DB12 S, a grand tourer, are also due to start in the first half of 2026.Lawrence Stroll, the billionaire owner of Aston Martin who is also executive chairman, last week insisted that his confidence in the carmaker “remains unwavering” despite rumours that the struggling company is being sized up by potential buyers.