A UK minister has said Britain is in a better position despite the US renewing a 10% import tariff on British goods, arguing that exemptions for products including whisky and medical technologies reduce the impact. The tariffs matter because the United States is the UK’s largest single export market, while the government seeks to preserve preferential access negotiated through its trade agreement with Washington.

The renewed charges apply to the UK and 59 other countries over US concerns about enforcement against forced-labour goods, following the expiry of temporary levies introduced after a Supreme Court ruling against Donald Trump’s previous tariff regime. The UK exported £66bn of goods to the US in 2024, or 17% of its goods exports; ministers said the overall 10% rate is unchanged and no additional UK tariffs have been imposed. Scottish first minister John Swinney said removal of the whisky tariff would significantly benefit producers.