UK Trade - 30 May 2026
TL;DR - Last Reviewed: 30 May 2026
- A 10% tariff on most UK goods exported to the US remains in place
- UK car exports to the US benefit from a reduced 10% rate (down from 27.5%) for up to 100,000 vehicles
- A US Supreme Court ruling in February 2026 changed the legal basis for US tariffs
- Parliament's House of Commons Library says it is unclear if the 10% rate will be maintained
- Steel and aluminium tariffs on UK goods were raised to 50% in June 2025
The Current UK-US Tariff Position
The UK-US trade deal announced in May 2025 reduced tariffs on a number of goods in both directions, but a 10% baseline tariff on most UK goods exported to the United States remains in force. This is lower than the rates applied to imports from many other countries, but higher than the near-zero tariffs that applied before the Trump administration's 2025 tariff programme. The UK Parliament's House of Commons Library, which tracks trade tariff developments, publishes a regularly updated briefing on the position.
Steel, Aluminium, and Cars
Steel and aluminium tariffs present a more acute challenge for UK exporters. The US imposed a 25% tariff on these goods in March 2025, which was raised to 50% in June of that year, and subsequently extended to cover a wider range of goods containing steel and aluminium components. A 25% tariff on passenger vehicles took effect from April 2025, with a further 25% tariff on automobile parts added in May. Under the UK-US deal, UK car exports benefit from a reduced 10% rate for up to 100,000 vehicles per year - a meaningful protection for the UK automotive sector given that the US is one of its largest export markets.
The Supreme Court Ruling and Legal Uncertainty
A US Supreme Court ruling on 20 February 2026 struck down the legal basis for several of the broader tariff measures, creating uncertainty about which elements of the tariff framework remain enforceable. The House of Commons Library notes that it remains unclear whether the 10% baseline tariff on UK goods will be maintained, altered, or challenged further under the new legal framework. The UK government is monitoring the position and has described negotiations with the US as continuing.
What This Means for UK Businesses
UK businesses exporting goods to the United States should monitor the tariff position closely and seek professional guidance on whether their specific products and trade flows are affected by the current or evolving framework. The 10% baseline means that UK goods are more expensive to US buyers compared to the pre-2025 position, which can affect competitiveness particularly in price-sensitive sectors. Businesses operating in manufacturing, food and drink, and professional services with US clients should assess their supply chain and pricing strategies accordingly.
