Britain's trade relationship with the United States continues to feel the aftershocks of tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, according to the latest official figures. Despite the change in the US presidency and global economic shifts, key British export sectors have struggled to recover.
Data released by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) paints a clear picture of sustained pressure. Since April 2025, following the implementation of the tariffs, British goods exports to the US (excluding precious metals) have remained stubbornly low, still suffering from an initial drop of £1.5 billion, or 24.7%.
The automotive industry serves as a telling case study. Exports of cars to the American market plummeted after the duties were levied and have not bounced back to their pre-tariff levels in the time since.
This enduring slump highlights the long-term, structural challenges that can arise from protectionist trade policies. For businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, the data underscores the reality that rebuilding trade channels and market share can be a slow and difficult process, even after the initial policy trigger has passed.
As the global economy navigates uncertainty in 2026, the UK-US trade dynamic remains a key area for analysts and investors to watch, serving as a real-world lesson in the lingering effects of trade disputes.
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UK trade with US still reeling from Trump tariffs, official data shows
cgtn.com
