UK Exports to US Plunge 10.3 Percent as Trump Tariffs Hit British Goods Hard

UK exports to the US plummeted 10.3% to £59.2 billion last year, the first drop since the pandemic, as President Trump's tariffs bit hard into British goods, according to analysis by Lubbock Fine reported by Investing.com. Clothing sales fell over 25% to £288.7 million, footwear by 21.2% to £33.5 million, and car exports crashed 28.1% to £7.5 billion despite a May trade deal slashing auto tariffs from 25% to 10%. The baseline tariff on UK goods now sits at 10%, with steel and aluminum facing up to 50%, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warns of an imminent global 15% tariff hike that could hammer UK trade further. Lubbock Fine partner Alex Altmann notes these barriers have already shrunk exports, with more pain likely ahead as the US remains the UK's top single partner at 15.6% of total goods exports. Pharmaceuticals dipped 8.4% to £10.2 billion but stay exempt. Argus Media reports Trump's administration targeting 60 trade partners, including the UK via the EU, with new Section 301 probes to reinstate high tariffs invalidated by the Supreme Court last month—emergency rates hit 15% or more before, now temporarily at 10% under Section 122 until July. Adding turbulence, Trump urged the UK to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, closed by Iranian threats amid escalating US-Iran clashes, as UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband told the BBC they're exploring options like mine-hunting drones. Lib Dems slam Trump's "reckless trade tariffs" and call for European and Commonwealth alliances to shield UK interests. This tariff storm, fueled by Trump's crusade, echoes warnings from Boloji analysis of "Trumpatic chaos"—policy volatility spiking prices, freezing investments, and sparking retaliation that ripples to UK automakers like Aston Martin, now slashing jobs over trade shocks. Listeners, thank you for tuning into United Kingdom Tariff News and Tracker. Subscribe for the latest updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/ Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.