Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on 60 countries, including the UK, replacing a previous 10 per cent global levy. The measures matter because the US is the UK’s largest single export market, so tariffs can reduce American demand for British goods and add pressure on exporters, even though US importers formally pay the charge.

The UK will still face a 10 per cent duty on many goods, but whisky and medical equipment have been exempted. Scotch whisky exports to the US were worth £933 million in 2025, while medical-device exports exceed £115 million annually; UK goods exports to the US fell 10.3 per cent, from £66.5 billion in 2024 to £59.7 billion in 2025. The article says any UK price benefit is likely to be limited, with the most direct costs falling on US businesses and consumers.