Let's steal America's brains

Britain could be the winner of a US talent exodus

Almost every US election prompts a wave of Americans to say they will move abroad. Rarely does this come to anything, but the Trump administration’s early actions present a real opportunity for Britain to take action. While our country has always been a popular destination for American immigration, we should actively target this demographic to boost those numbers and reinvigorate sectors of the British economy.

The trend is already evident. The Financial Times reports a record surge in Americans applying for British citizenship. Around 150,000 US citizens already live and work in Britain, and our shared language, culture, and history draw many. Yet, so far, we’ve done little to court this relationship. Now, with Trump’s presidency acting as a catalyst, we have a rare opportunity to capitalize on this migration.

The impact of Trump goes beyond the usual liberal reaction to a Republican President. Many Americans, particularly those on the left, feel a growing sense of cultural and economic uncertainty. The increasingly hostile political climate, with the right opposing gay marriage and threatening to roll back freedoms, has left many feeling that they must leave. Add to this the economic fallout from Trump’s cuts to scientific and academic funding, and it’s no surprise that many talented professionals are looking abroad.

This is where Britain comes in. With its world-class universities, thriving tech and financial sectors, and stable political climate, we already offer much of what these individuals need. We have the infrastructure, the industries, and the ecosystem to provide them with opportunities. It’s not about building something from scratch—it’s about enhancing and bolstering what we already have.

Our nation would benefit, too. The stated aim of our immigration policy is to draw in the world's best talent. Targeting the top US talent is the sort of influx that delivers the best possible bang for its buck. These are highly productive workers in highly skilled areas. Some will yield research of international significance, which British businesses can exploit first. Others will be entrepreneurial, building up companies that provide employment and growth. The mere injection of American enthusiasm and determination will probably be the kick a few sectors need. If these people are going to go somewhere, we should make sure they are coming here.

There are a few ways of going about this. At the most basic level, we should be pushing the idea of moving here to talented Americans. In the last few years, other countries have done it to us, so we should learn their tactics. A while back, I couldn't open an app without an ad for a Scandinavian country trying to lure me there. Both Australia and New Zealand launched glossy campaigns trying to lure away our doctors. Britain could be doing the same for America – targeting the affluent, left-leaning, anti-Trump contingent who might be keenest to leave and who could contribute the most if they came. Let's fill their social media with rolling hills, Manchester's nightlife, and organic, chlorine-free chicken. Have Judy Dench and Danny Dyer rolling out the red carpet.

We could be more precise for specific in-demand sectors. Monitor the areas being hacked away by DOGE and approach their best talent directly. Lure the climate researchers who are seeing their departments disappear. Talk to the medical researchers who have found their funding cut. Pick up the defence professionals who are aghast at American isolationism. Flatter and seduce the very best and streamline their transition over here. Court them like we would have done a soviet defector a few decades ago.

Other policies would help encourage the pull. Anecdotally, Americans find our immigration system convoluted and tricky. A friend still gets pulled over at passport control almost a decade after their visa was refused. We should streamline it, especially for those in the most in-demand. One of the persistent criticisms of our immigration system is that we make it too onerous for the best migrants – why not experiment with relaxing it for specific groups we know are going to make big contributions?

Tax incentives could also help encourage Americans and their businesses to move here. One of the real things likely to deter the move is that Britain has both lower salaries and higher taxes. Perhaps offer them a year or two at lower rates to help encourage the transition or provide perks for remote workers who move to less affluent bits of the UK. If we get their money circulating in our economy, there could be wins even if we tax them a little less. There could be further incentives for businesses that hire Brits alongside American employees or where they commit to UK supply chains. Other nations have already done this to tempt digital nomads and tech workers, like Portugal’s remote worker visas. Perhaps stealing some of these ideas could help.

This pairs well with existing government policies. Starmer's push for growth relies on the expansion of high-tech industries. Growth around the Ox-Cam Arc would be the perfect match for attracting highly productive workers in academia and spun-out fields. Work on the green transition could be boosted by drawing in Americans who now feel cut off by a largely climate-sceptic US right. It will perhaps also help us do something about the under-the-radar crisis in our universities. After all, there is no point in attracting the world's best academics if the places we put them are going bust.

We already offer many of the things Americans fleeing Trump are likely to seek. Our politics are now relatively stable, and our race relations are generally better than those of much of the US. British cities offer varied cultures and diversity, and the schools and universities are excellent. We won't bankrupt our newly arrived Americans with medical bills, nor will they have to fear the levels of violence common in US cities. Most of all, we tend to like them, and they tend to like us.

This will never be a mass movement. Inertia generally means people don’t leave, unwilling to abandon their family and professional commitments. We have a chance, however, to leverage where some are interested. With a few cheap policy tweaks, we can sweeten the deal and attract them to the UK rather than elsewhere. Done well, this could attract some of the world’s best talent.

There are plenty of strategic challenges coming from the new administration, but we should not be blind to the opportunities. Many talented Americans will be looking for a way out, worried by the country's politics but also professionally threatened by the new government. There is plenty to gain from poaching them. If the US is to have a brain drain, we should do our utmost to be the winners.

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