Britain’s Export Big‑Bang: America’s Uber‑Mall Is Still the Trendsetter
While the UK is busy brushing up its relationship with the EU, the real plot twist is sliding into the United States. According to the latest review from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), British goods poured into the U.S. at the fastest pace since the end of 2022.
Why the U.S. Still Matters for the UK
David Jinks, Parcelhero’s head of consumer research, says we’re not just throwing the EU’s weight out the window. The U.S. remains Britain’s biggest export market. Even if the EU deal shakes things up, the find applies: the old adage that “You can’t please everyone” holds — but the U.S. is still a priority.
March: A Race Against Tariffs
- Exports jumped £100 million in March alone.
- That’s a 16 % rise from the previous quarter (Q4 2024).
- Fifty‑two campaign-type shipping blitzes were seen, all in an attempt to get goods past Trump’s “Liberation Day” on 2 April, when a blanket 10 % tariff loomed.
The ONS notes the surge is likely because traders were, in a way, rear‑up your boots and sprint to the front door before the tariffs started kicking in. Yet the question remains: is this a one‑off sprint or the start of a new long‑term pace?
Cars & Machinery: The “Draft‑y” Sector That Blew Up
Although the U.S. originally slapped a massive 25 % tariff on UK cars, a new trade deal announced on 8 May has tweaked that down to a 10 % blanket rate—limits start at 100 000 cars before the small‑batch exemption kicks in. Also, tariffs on UK aluminium and steel? Gone.
As a result, export for UK‑made cars has actually grown during March. Without the 25 % stamp, drivers—and trucks—could finally hit the highway.
EU Trade Still Shines
Despite the U.S. “tariff drama,” British traders didn’t drop their gaze from the EU. In Q1 2025, UK‑EU exports grew by £0.4 billion (1.1 %) and £0.2 billion (1.6 %) in March alone. The EU deal is intended to further unlock countless opportunities for cheaper food, less red‑tape confusion, and an estimated £9 billion added to the UK economy by 2040.
Overall Export Explosion
Looking at the bigger picture, UK exports to all other markets climbed by a whopping £6.3 billion (7.3 %) in Q1 2025.
What This Means for the Future
While the U.S. and EU deals bring optimism, the continuing uncertainty suggests traders will need to stay flexible. But if the UK can keep its cricket‑bat slick and its conveyor belts humming, we’re all set for a trade carnival that doesn’t rely purely on one set of partners.
Stay tuned for real‑time updates on the chatter through this extraordinary trade tug‑of‑war. Subscribe now to catch each shift before the next tariff turns the market upside down!
