Donald Trump is at it again, stealing headlines on June 24, 2016. Along the way, he touched down at the Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayr, Scotland. With a bagpiper in traditional Scottish dress providing appropriate musical accompaniment, Trump’s visit was one of many high-profile openings that opened up a critical summer of meetings. These upcoming discussions could be hugely transformative for transatlantic trade relations.
Fast forward to July 27, 2025, Trump met with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, at the same resort. During this landmark meeting, they reached a groundbreaking consensus. The United States/European Union Trade Deal—once considered a major trade achievement—now looks like a distant memory, if perhaps not dead. This deal is significant beyond the transatlantic relationship alone. It may, if unintentionally, tilt the odds in favor of the United Kingdom.
Unintended or indirect advantages Experts have made the case that the UK could indirectly benefit from this trade deal. Goods imported from the UK into the United States currently benefit from a substantially lower tariff rate of 10%. In contrast, goods from the European Union are hit with a 15% tariff. This difference gives UK products an unfair competitive edge in the U.S. market.
British trade experts stress that this can lead to greater competitiveness of UK products in the US market. They could consider these products more affordable relative to EU products. The change in tariff rate would create a price incentive that would cause many purchasers to switch their purchasing preferences.
“The new EU tariff of 15% means that UK exports to the US have become relatively cheaper, which could boost British trade with the US as American firms buy goods from Britain rather than the EU.” – Philip Shaw
On 28 July 2025, Trump made an historic move in Transatlantic relations. He personally welcomed new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to his Trump Turnberry golf course. This high-profile gathering highlighted the deepening relationship between the two countries, especially in the context of recent trade incriminations.
Then as now, trade expert Beth McCall told Ohio environmentalists that the implications of the trade deal would take time to materialize. She noted that existing contracts and relationships will influence how quickly U.S. importers transition their sourcing to countries with lower tariffs.
“This will take time to be seen as existing contracts come to an end and US importers search for imports from countries carrying a lower tariff.” – Beth McCall
Even with uncertainty on the road ahead, experts still hope about what this could mean for the UK. The UK’s lower tariff on goods imported from outside the EU might lead some EU businesses to rethink their production plans.
“The UK’s lower US tariffs do offer a major incentive for EU companies to shift some of their manufacturing bases to the UK or to expand their existing UK facilities.” – Alex Altmann
Meanwhile, economic pressures across Europe are mounting. This implementation of the trade deal would be a welcome lifeline for the UK. If relations were friendly, the UK had much to gain economically by increasing trade with its closest ally, the US. This combined strategy should allow it to skirt a recession.
“Whether the new rate is 10% or 15%, UK and EU businesses will still face far higher tariffs when exporting to the US than they did three months ago.” – Beth McCall