UK eases import tariffs on 89 goods to shield local businesses from US trade war

The UK government has taken significant steps to support local businesses by lifting import tariffs on 89 types of goods, ranging from electric vehicle batteries to fruit juices, as part of its response to the "trade war" initiated by US President Donald Trump.

The move aims to ease the financial burden on British companies caught in the middle of escalating global trade tensions, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The new measure, which will remain in effect until July 2027, covers a variety of products, including aluminum wheels, agave syrup, coconut water, frozen shrimp, and more. 

According to calculations from UK authorities, removing these tariffs will save businesses approximately 17 million pounds ($22 million) annually, assisting to offset the impact of rising import costs. The decision comes after President Trump’s announcement on April 2 that customs duties would be imposed on goods from 185 countries and territories, including the UK. American tariffs were set at 10 per cent for British goods, a level Trump referred to as the minimum. 

Additionally, on April 3, the US administration introduced a 25 per cent tariff on all imported cars, further intensifying the trade friction. In response to these developments, UK Minister for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds stated that the British government is exploring a range of measures to counter the US actions. Reynolds stated that they were carefully considering their options and would take action to protect British interests in the challenging trade environment.

By Naila Huseynova