US is the UK’s largest market for agri-food products outside of the EU
The NFU has called president Donald Trump’s 10 per cent tariffs on UK exports to the US a challenge for agriculture in this country.
Trump announced new import taxes on all goods entering the US on 2 April, describing the new measures as “reciprocal” and necessary to rectify trade imbalances. Tariffs of 10 per cent will be introduced from Saturday 5 April on all UK imports, with 20 per cent on those from the EU a few days later.
His reciprocal tariffs may also result in products destined for the US market being redirected to the UK, negatively impacting this country, the NFU warned.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said the union has been working closely with the government in the lead up to the announcements, and continues to share expertise to help react swifty to any market disruption in response to a change in the movement of goods and products between affected countries.
“We stand united in our desire to work together to ensure British farmers and growers are at the forefront of any decision making and will continue to work hand in glove with government as the situation develops,” he added.
The US is the largest market for British agri-food products outside the EU, with the UK exporting 432,735 tonnes of food, beverages and live animals to the US in 2024, valued at £2.6 billion.
Major food and drink exports include Scotch Whisky, fish, cheese, infant formula, cereals and pigmeat, with horticultural crops only making up a small amount of the total.
