The USA buys significant goods from the UK, primarily machinery & transport equipment (like turbines, engines, cars) and chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), alongside materials, scientific instruments, and precious metals. For services, the UK is a major supplier, with strong trade in business, consulting, and management services, making the US a key partner for both UK goods and services exports, though the US buys more services overall.
Of all UK exports to United States in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2025, £64.1 billion (31.4%) were goods and £140.2 billion (68.6%) were services.
The main opportunity for UK exporters in North America will be for premium red meat and dairy products which are differentiated from domestic production. This page was last updated in February 2023.
The service sector dominates, contributing 82% of GDP; the financial services industry is particularly important, and London is the second-largest financial centre in the world.
If we look at statistics, the UK's top exports are cars, power generators, pharmaceuticals and aircraft. Rolls Royce engines for aeroplanes are some of the UK's best high end manufacturing.
China sits firmly at the top, exporting around $3.6 trillion in goods—more than the United States and Germany combined. The U.S. follows with $2.1 trillion, while Germany ranks third with nearly $1.7 trillion, reflecting its strong automotive and industrial base.
Trump's imposed tariffs will raise $2.2 trillion in revenue over the next decade on a conventional basis and reduce US GDP by 0.5 percent, all before foreign retaliation. Accounting for negative economic effects, the revenue raised by the tariffs falls to $1.7 trillion over the next decade.
Principal British exports include machinery, automobiles and other transport equipment, electrical and electronic equipment (including computers), chemicals, and oil. Services, particularly financial services, are another major export and contribute positively to Britain's trade balance.
The UK population is increasing, experiencing significant growth, with the mid-2024 estimates showing the second-largest numerical rise in over 75 years, mainly driven by net international migration, though growth rates vary across the nations. Projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) anticipate continued growth, potentially reaching over 70 million by 2026 and 76.6 million by mid-2047.
The poorest 10% of households paid on average 48% of their income in tax in 2022/23. The richest 10% of households, however, paid on average just 39% of their income in tax. Council tax is a key source of disproportionate taxation, with the poorest 10% paying 7% while the richest 10% pay just 1.2%
Consider three of Britain's strengths: advanced manufacturing, life sciences and technology. The country's global share of manufacturing has declined over the years. Yet firms like Rolls-Royce, which has long been a leading producer of jet engines for wide-bodied planes, continue to fly high.
