Donald Trump deals damning blow to Man Utd's new stadium and Wrexham plans

owners could reconsider or delay plans to build a new stadium because of Donald Trump's new tariffs, according to a sports finance expert. , Liverpool and Chelsea have also been tipped to be affected by the United States President's recent announcements.

Trump , aimed to boost the US' economy, including a 'baseline' tariff of 10 per cent on all imports coming into the country. These will come into effect on April 5 but some countries, including China and those in the European Union, face increased additional costs after being described as the "worst offenders" by Trump.

Professor Rob Wilson believes that these announcements will concern US-based football club owners, with the tariff's ripple effect causing projects to be delayed or scrapped completely.

He told : "The prospect of US-based owners reconsidering stadium redevelopment projects in light of financial uncertainty, including tariffs and broader economic shifts, is certainly plausible. For high-profile clubs such as Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, stadium redevelopment is a multi-million-pound investment, typically intended to enhance revenue streams through increased matchday revenue, better fan experiences, and enhanced commercial opportunities.

"However, these projects are typically long-term investments with significant up-front costs. If tariffs lead to an economic slowdown, either in the UK or globally, these owners may reconsider the timing of such projects or even look for ways to scale back on expenditures. Additionally, financial uncertainty might cause these owners to reassess other forms of capital allocation, focusing more on immediate operational stability rather than long-term infrastructural improvements.

"Moreover, while these clubs are generally financially robust, the need to balance spending with revenue generation in times of economic uncertainty is ever-present. As such, we might see some postponement of redevelopment plans or a shift in how the financing for such projects is structured, potentially deferring major capital outlays until economic conditions stabilise."

Last month, at , which is expected to cost in the region of £2billion.

Wrexham's financial growth, spearheaded by owners and , could also be halted by these tariffs, as Wilson explained: "Wrexham's future financial growth is highly dependent on its ability to capitalise on its growing fan base in the US. Given the club's recent rise in profile, driven in no small part by its Hollywood co-owners, a significant portion of its commercial revenue will likely stem from US-based sponsorships, merchandise sales, and media engagement.

"However, while the US economy is a key factor, the degree of dependence on its performance may be less than initially thought. The Wrexham brand has cultivated a sense of emotional attachment and authenticity that may allow it to weather short-term economic fluctuations. However, in the longer term, if the US economy were to experience sustained downturns, consumer sentiment toward discretionary spending, particularly in entertainment sectors such as football, could weaken.

"The key for Wrexham is to diversify its revenue streams, not only through US-based commercial ventures but also through European and global markets. In this regard, the US economy is an important factor, but it is not the sole determinant of the club's financial growth trajectory.

"It's similar to the need for clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United needing to diversify from markets in the Middle East to show they can earn income away from companies tied to ownership."

Companies that bring foreign goods into the US are those who have been slapped with additional charges, but there are fears these tariffs will have a knock-on effect for consumers.

Wilson suggests that American stakeholders in English football would in theory be handed increased operational costs. While involvement from the States is unlikely to perish as a result of Trump's tariffs, direct investment could be slowed down.

"Imposing tariffs, particularly under the Trump administration, will likely have a significant ripple effect on American investment in the Premier League (PL) and the English Football League (EFL)," he added. "In theory, tariffs primarily raise the cost of goods imported from the UK to the US, which could lead to increased operational costs for American stakeholders in English football.

"However, the impact on investment in the Premier League and EFL might be more nuanced. For instance, investors from the US often view football clubs as both lucrative commercial ventures and global branding opportunities. The long-term nature of these investments means that, while tariffs may affect short-term profits due to increased costs (e.g., merchandise or stadium-related imports), they may not immediately deter investment in the sports industry.

"Furthermore, given the commercial and media rights deals, the overall economic attractiveness of top-flight English football - with its global viewership and expansive broadcasting rights - remains substantial enough to attract US-based capital despite such tariffs.

"While tariffs could increase the costs of operating across borders, they are unlikely to halt American investment in English football outright. Instead, we may see a strategic recalibration where US investors seek ways to mitigate these additional costs, such as renegotiating broadcasting or sponsorship deals to maintain profitability. We're already seeing a slow down in investment in football with other sports benefitting - netball an obvious example after the recent acquisition of Birmingham Panthers by BCFC owners."