British officials are pushing forward with trade discussions with the US despite a recent court ruling that overturned many of Donald Trump’s tariffs. The UK hopes to finalize agreements on cars, metals, and airplane parts within the coming weeks.
Negotiators from both sides spent last week in Washington discussing the implementation of a deal that was signed earlier this month, including the speed at which it could be voted on in Parliament and Congress. The talks continue despite a federal court decision that blocked Trump’s 10% tariffs on goods from around the world. However, an appeals court paused the ruling, allowing the tariffs to remain in place.
A government source stated that while some countries see the court ruling as a reason not to negotiate over tariffs, the UK is pushing to get the deal implemented as soon as possible. According to the terms of the deal, British car companies will be permitted to export 100,000 vehicles a year at a 10% tariff rate. However, the details on how cars assembled in the UK with parts made in other countries will be treated, and how parts themselves will be categorized, are still being ironed out.
The negotiations continue even though a court recently ruled that many of Trump’s tariffs were enacted without Congress approval. However, the ruling did not apply to the higher tariffs imposed on cars, steel, and aluminum.
Downing Street believes that the court ruling is likely to be overturned by the Supreme Court, which is dominated by conservatives. As the UK and US continue their discussions, UK steel and aluminum tariffs are set to be reduced to zero. Meanwhile, discussions about pharmaceutical products, which account for about £7 billion worth of exports to the US, are still ongoing.
Talks with the US are taking place simultaneously as officials in the UK work towards a controversial £1.6bn trade deal with Gulf countries, which has been criticized for lacking provisions on human rights, modern slavery, and the environment.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/31/uk-forging-ahead-with-us-trade-talks-despite-court-block-on-trumps-tariffs
