UK Goods Exports to US Drop £1.5bn in April 2025 After New Tariffs

Office for National Statistics confirms sharp decline in UK goods exports to the United States following introduction of 10% baseline tariff.

For businesses across Kent that rely on exporting to America, the numbers make for sobering reading. UK goods exports to the United States, excluding precious metals, plummeted by £1.5 billion in April 2025 – a staggering 24.7% drop that coincided with new US tariffs coming into force.

The Office for National Statistics has confirmed that export values have consistently remained below pre-tariff levels between April 2025 and February 2026, painting a picture of sustained economic pressure on British exporters.

View tweet from @ONS

What Triggered the Decline

The dramatic fall stems from the US imposing a baseline 10% tariff on all imported goods from 5 April 2025. This sweeping measure, introduced under an executive order citing national emergency powers, marked a significant escalation in trade barriers between the two countries.

The new tariffs didn’t apply to everything, though. Critical products like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and certain metals including copper received exemptions. But for most British goods heading across the Atlantic, the additional 10% cost became an immediate reality.

This wasn’t happening in isolation. The US had already been tightening trade restrictions throughout early 2025, with 25% tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico in February, and steel and aluminium tariffs announced in early 2025.

The Broader Trade Picture

The impact rippled through various sectors. US imports saw significant decreases in April 2025, including consumer goods down by $33 billion, pharmaceutical preparations falling by $26 billion, and finished metal shapes dropping by $16.9 billion.

Meanwhile, the average effective US tariff rate soared from just 2.5% in January to an estimated 27% by April – the highest level in over a century. This dramatic shift prompted retaliatory measures from other countries, with China responding by imposing 34% tariffs on US goods and introducing export controls on rare earths.

The escalation also ended certain trade exemptions, such as the de minimis duty-free threshold for low-value packages from China, which had previously allowed small shipments to enter the US without tariffs.

Economic Consequences

Economists have warned about the broader implications of these trade barriers. Analysis suggests the tariffs could reduce US GDP growth by 1.1 percentage points in the short term while raising consumer prices significantly – with some products like shoes seeing price increases of up to 87%.

The disruption to global supply chains has affected not just direct exports but also the availability and cost of intermediate inputs that businesses rely on for their own production processes.

Source: @ONS

Key Takeaways

UK goods exports to the US fell £1.5bn (24.7%) in April 2025 following new 10% baseline tariffs

Export values have remained consistently below pre-tariff levels through February 2026

US average effective tariff rate reached 27% by April 2025, the highest in over a century

What This Means for Kent Residents

Kent’s major ports, including Dover and Thamesport, are feeling the pinch as reduced export volumes affect local logistics jobs and port revenues. Manufacturing businesses along the M20 corridor, especially in automotive and engineering sectors, face higher barriers to accessing the lucrative US market, potentially putting export-dependent jobs at risk. Local companies should contact UK Export Finance to explore tariff mitigation support and consider diversifying into new markets through Kent County Council’s trade services, while workers in export industries may want to discuss potential impacts with their employers and explore skills development opportunities in growing sectors.

Source: @ONS

Published: 1 May 2026

Source: @ONS on X. This article has been researched and rewritten with editorial balance by Kent Local News.