UK Exports to the US on a Thrilling Ride – Highest Since 2022
Just when you thought UK trade was all about the EU dance, the United States comes swinging in like a new chapter of blockbuster drama. Parcelhero reports a sharp uptick in British goods heading across the Atlantic, setting the records back on the board.
What the Numbers Say
- March alone: £100 million of British exports to the US shipped.
- First quarter of 2025 (Jan‑Mar): £2.4 bn exported.
- Overall rise: 16 % from the 4‑month quarter in 2024 to the 1‑quarter in 2025.
Is this a case of “just in time for the 10‑% tariff hit” or a sign of a steady trend? A bit of both, perhaps. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says the data capture period stops at March, so full tariff impact will only show up later.
When the Car Doors Start Rattle
The cars had the heavy lift. Initially slapped with 25 % tariffs, the British car exporters like Jaguar Land‑Rover went on a brief pause to strategise. Thankfully, the UK rattled a deal on May 8 that trimmed the “car” tariff to a mere 10 % for up to 100,000 units and stamped out duties on aluminium and steel.
The Lloyd’s of Britain’s Other Trade Moves
- EU exports nudged up by £0.4 bn (1.1 %) in Q1 2025.
- March alone: £0.2 bn increase within EU trade.
- Proposed EU‑UK trade deal: projected to add nearly £9 bn to the UK’s economy by 2040.
All‑But‑The‑Shows: Global Outlook
On the global stage, UK total exports jumped a massive £6.3 bn (7.3 %) in the first quarter of 2025. This is a sign that the UK is agile and ready to ship wherever the world’s had its eye turned.
So, What’s Next?
With the US tariff drama still unfolding, trade volatility isn’t on autopilot. Meanwhile, the EU deal is set to keep the British trade beast rolling, tightening connectivity and lifting the price chasm on food.
In short: the UK is dancing between the EU and the US, pulling tricks from both sides to keep the export rhythm alive and well. Let’s hope the financials stay as sweet as the humor we’ve sprinkled in this summary.
