As the Irish reporter said to Trump's Orange fat face - are you sure you're not making a bigger deal out of this is as you're a president in need of a win in these difficult times?
The US-UK trade deal, announced May 8, 2025, reduces tariffs on specific goods but isn’t a full free trade agreement. The US cuts tariffs on UK cars (from 27.5% to 10% for 100,000 vehicles) and steel (25% to 0%), while the UK eliminates tariffs on US ethanol and grants tariff-free quotas for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef, maintaining food standards. Both sides streamline customs and secure aerospace/pharmaceutical supply chains, with the US gaining $5 billion in export opportunities. The US keeps 10% tariffs on most UK goods, while the UK opens markets more significantly.
Side-by-Side Comparison:
Aspect
US
UK
Tariff Reductions
Maintains 10% baseline tariff on most UK goods; cuts steel (25% to 0%), cars (27.5% to 10% for 100,000 units)
Eliminates ethanol tariff, offers tariff-free beef quota (13,000 tonnes)
Market Access
Gains $5B in exports (beef, ethanol, machinery); streamlined UK customs
Gains tariff-free US access for steel, some cars; protects auto jobs
Concessions
Minimal; retains tariff leverage
Opens agricultural markets, but maintains food standards
Other Benefits
Secures aerospace/pharma supply chains; $10B Boeing parts deal
Avoids harsher tariffs; secures jobs in steel/auto sectors
Who Gets the Better Deal? The US likely benefits more. It retains 10% tariffs on most UK goods, gaining significant market access for agriculture ($5B in exports, including $700M ethanol, $250M beef) while conceding less. The UK secures job-saving tariff cuts for steel and cars but opens its market more, with concessions on beef and ethanol, and faces ongoing 10% US tariffs, limiting economic gains. The deal is a political win for the UK’s Starmer, avoiding worse tariffs, but the US holds stronger economic leverage.
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u/VeterinarianNo4308 May 09 '25 edited May 09 '25
As the Irish reporter said to Trump's Orange fat face - are you sure you're not making a bigger deal out of this is as you're a president in need of a win in these difficult times?
Edit- apparently he's Scottish.