Hello,

 

As an island nation, the UK relies heavily on global commerce. One would therefore assume that a looming trade war would be all-in-all detrimental. But it has seemingly provided fertile ground for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to strengthen their international relationships. At a time when trade agreements are being chopped up and re-written, the UK has spent the month of May forming new bonds and strengthening old ones.

 

They started the month by finalising a free trade agreement with India that had been on the grindstone since 2022. The deal will see India cut levies on 90% of British imports. Just days later, an agreement was reached with the US to slash ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, before finally, the UK secured a number of trade deals with the EU last week relating to agriculture, energy, and defence.

 

And they’re not done yet. The UK is now setting its sights on the Gulf nations, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves has gone as far as to suggest that they are now in a better place on trade “than any other country in the world”. More importantly, she will be eager to see whether these efforts boost growth, which has shown positive signs so far in 2025.

 

As always, if you wish to discuss anything in further detail, please do get in touch.