UK Goods Exports to US Plunge 33% in April Due to Trump Tariffs

In April, the United Kingdom experienced its most substantial monthly decline in goods exports to the United States since records began in 1997. This decline was a direct consequence of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as part of his global trade war. The Office for National Statistics reported that goods shipments to the U.S., including precious metals, decreased by £2 billion ($2.7 billion) from the previous month, leaving sales at £4.1 billion, the lowest level since February 2022.

The tariffs, announced on April 2, imposed a 10% levy on all goods from the UK. Additionally, steel, aluminium, and automotive products faced a higher 25% tariff. This move led to a substantial decrease in exports across various commodities. Machinery and transport equipment exports fell by £800 million due to a drop in car shipments, while chemical exports decreased by £300 million. Imports from the U.S. also saw a decline, falling by £400 million to £4.7 billion.

The impact of these tariffs was widespread, affecting most types of goods exported to the U.S. The Office for National Statistics highlighted that the largest monthly fall in goods exports to the U.S. was recorded in April, with decreases seen across most categories. This significant drop was a direct result of the newly introduced tariffs, which disrupted the flow of goods between the two nations.

Despite the challenges posed by the tariffs, the UK and the U.S. reached an agreement on May 8 to lower car tariffs and remove them on aluminium and steel. However, the implementation of this new trade regime has yet to be realized, leaving the current trade landscape uncertain.

The total goods and services trade deficit with the rest of the world widened by £4.9 billion to £11.5 billion in the three months leading up to April 2025. This widening deficit underscores the broader economic implications of the tariffs, which have not only affected bilateral trade between the UK and the U.S. but also the overall trade balance.

Liz McKeown, Director of Economic Statistics at the Office for National Statistics, commented on the situation, stating that after four consecutive months of increase, April saw the largest monthly fall on record in goods exports to the United States. This decline was observed across most types of goods, following the recent introduction of tariffs.

The tariffs imposed by President Trump have had a profound impact on the UK's export sector, leading to a significant drop in goods exports to the U.S. The agreement reached between the two nations to lower and remove certain tariffs offers a glimmer of hope for the future of trade relations. However, the full effects of these changes remain to be seen as the new trade regime is yet to be implemented.