Tariff Truce, Trade Advantage: How UK Logistics Can Ride the US–China Reset

With US–China trade tensions finally easing—at least temporarily—UK logistics professionals find themselves in a rare position: not just reacting to global disruptions, but potentially benefiting from them.

At the height of the conflict, tariffs between the two giants hit record highs. The US imposed duties up to 145% on Chinese imports, including EVs, batteries, and steel, while China retaliated with 125% on American goods and export controls on key minerals. Global shipping lanes were disrupted, suppliers panicked, and costs soared.

Now, the US and China have agreed to a 90-day tariff rollback, reducing some of the punitive duties that had brought supply chains to a crawl. The US has cut its effective tariff on Chinese goods from 145% to ~30%, while China lowered its rate on US goods to 10%. Parcels under $800, previously hit with a 120% US tariff, now face 54% or a $100 flat fee—a significant easing for e-commerce traffic.

But this isn’t just a story about Beijing and Washington. For UK trade professionals, it’s a chance to reassess the map.

With the US maintaining tariffs on many Chinese goods, UK exports to the US now hold a relative price advantage—especially after a UK–US mini-deal scrapped tariffs on British steel and aluminium and cut duties on cars to 10%. UK businesses exporting goods like auto parts, chemicals, and machinery now have faster, cheaper access to the US market.

Equally important is the routing opportunity. As US–China trade remains partially restricted, more goods are likely to reroute via third countries. The UK—with its global shipping links, bonded warehousing, and compliance expertise—can act as a transit hub for reworked supply chains, whether for value-added transformation or strategic stockholding before onward shipment.

Of course, risks remain: diverted Chinese goods could pressure UK markets, and tariff relief may not last. But for now, the moment favours UK logistics agility.

For firms with cross-border operations, trade compliance roles, or freight strategy at their core, this is the time to optimise, diversify, and double down on UK–US corridors. In the wake of tariff chaos, the UK can offer a calmer, smarter route.