UK, US Strike Trade Deal Lowering Car Tariffs, Adjusting Food Imports

The UK and US have reached a preliminary trade deal aimed at easing some of the tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, notably reducing car tariffs from 25% to 10% on the first 100,000 British cars exported to the US and removing tariffs on UK exports like steel and aluminum. The agreement also opens up reciprocal beef trade without compromising UK food standards, with a commitment to maintain stringent regulations, including rejecting chlorinated chicken imports. While the deal is not a comprehensive free trade agreement and the US's 10% tariffs on other UK imports remain, it symbolically strengthens economic ties and is seen as a political win for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Some UK farming interests have criticized the deal over alleged concessions on food and agriculture imports, although the government denies any weakening of food safety standards. The deal excludes certain contentious issues such as digital services tax exemptions for US tech firms and Trump's proposed measures on foreign films. Overall, the deal provides targeted tariff relief to key UK industries like automotive and manufacturing but leaves broader trade barriers largely intact, with both sides indicating potential for future expansion.