August 2025 Tariff Situation: New Rules, New Rates
The US tariff reset that took effect from has ushered in a tiered regime targeting dozens of trading partners, while locking in new agreements with key allies including the UK and EU. The measures follow months of negotiation and a deadline that forced countries to strike deals or face steep duti...
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US–EU Trade Deal Signals New Trade Era
The US and EU have agreed a landmark trade framework taking effect 1 August, with a 15% baseline tariff, replacing many higher existing rates.
In addition to lowering tariffs the new trade deal opens markets, and pledges huge investment flows, with significant opportunities for UK traders able...
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UK Bid to Join Pan-Europe Trade Area Blocked
The UK government’s attempt to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention, a framework that simplifies supply chains and reduces tariffs across Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East has been blocked by the EU.
Established in 2012 and modernised in 2025, the PEM Convention ...
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US Customs Reforms Raise Questions on HTS Entries and Transshipped Goods
Businesses responsible for customs clearing goods into the US are adjusting to two significant Customs and Border Protection (CBP) changes that could affect classification practices and the treatment of goods in transit.
Firstly, CBP has expanded the number of Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) ...
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Momentum for UK Carmakers in Landmark US Trade Deal
British car manufacturers will benefit from cost savings and improved export competitiveness, following the formal implementation of the first stage of the UK–US ‘Economic Prosperity Deal’ signed at the G7 Summit on 16 June 2025.
Under the deal, up to 100,000 UK-built vehicles per year c...
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Tariff Pause Triggers Surge in Ocean Freight Rates – But Legal Roadblocks Lie Ahead
Container shipping lines are driving spot rates sharply higher, with the 2025 transpacific peak season likely to begin earlier than usual, fuelled by a surge in US imports from Asia.
Spot rates on key routes are rising faster than during the pandemic-era boom. Carriers implemented general rate...
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Court Ruling Challenges Trump’s Trade Strategy Amid Global Uncertainty
A U.S. federal court has ruled that President Donald Trump's sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs are illegal — delivering what may prove to be a major blow to his trade policy agenda, or simply a temporary setback.
On May 28, 2025, the United States Court of International Trade determined that...
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UK Strikes Trio of Trade Deals in May
The UK government has made major strides in strengthening its international trade relationships this May, concluding three key agreements with India (6 May), the United States (8 May), and the European Union (19 May).
These agreements could reshape trade routes and sourcing decisions, reduce c...
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Tariffs, Complexity and Opportunity
As the United States recalibrates its tariff landscape, importers (and DDP exporters) are navigating a rapidly shifting environment. With Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods still firmly in place, it has never been more critical to understand which tariffs apply and how to calculate them.
In ...
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US and India Trade Deals Open Doors for UK Traders
Two landmark trade agreements with the US and India promise to reshape supply chain opportunities for UK importers and exporters. Both deals offer a mix of immediate tariff relief and long-term potential to diversify sourcing and boost exports.
The newly signed UK-US agreement has reduced US t...
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US-China Tariff Pause Offers Fashion Breathing Space
Fashion brands and retailers around the world have welcomed a temporary easing of tensions between the US and China, but remain wary of the wider uncertainty still gripping global supply chains.
A 90-day agreement announced on Monday May 12 will, from May 14, reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods...
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Blanked Sailings Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Global sea freight is navigating a complex landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, fluctuating demand, and strategic capacity adjustments and while a temporary US-China tariff truce offers a glimmer of hope, challenges persist across major trade lanes.
In response to weakening demand, parti...
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