Transport trade body Logistics UK has called for clarity regarding US moves to introduce a worldwide tariff rate of 15% on imports into the country.
The tariffs came into force this morning at a rate of 10%, but US president Donald Trump said on social media they will increase to 15%.
According to reports, US officials are working on a formal order to increase the rate. The UK had previously agreed a trade arrangement with the US that set a tariff rate of 10%. Logistics UK said it is not clear whether this agreement will override the new 10% rate.
James Mills, head of trade policy at Logistics UK, said: “The US is the UK’s largest single-country trading partner and accounts for around one sixth of all UK exports, so any changes to tariff arrangements matter significantly for British businesses.
“Companies now need urgent clarity on how the proposed 15% levy will apply in practice and confirmation that previously agreed sector arrangements will be honoured.
“Exports to the US support nearly 1m UK jobs, making stability in this relationship vital. In a more volatile global environment, trade-led growth depends on predictability and on keeping trade as open, efficient and frictionless as possible, because the UK grows when it trades.”
The new tariffs are being temporarily applied for 150 days under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. This act allows the US to apply tariffs where there are fundamental international payment problems, such as payment deficits or dollar depreciation.
The suspension of the de minimis exemption will continue, according to the executive order.
The president announced the new tariffs after the US Supreme Court ruled that he had overstepped his powers in implementing his previous tariffs applied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Last year, air cargo benefited from the US tariff strategy as shippers looked to move cargo to market quickly to sidestep uncertainty around future levies.
Some production shifted away from China as companies looked to diversify their supply chains. This again benefited air cargo as companies looked to the speed and predictability of air cargo.
According to Global Trade Alert (GTA), the new tariff regime of 15% will benefit some countries while others will lose out.
“Countries that faced steep IEEPA surcharges see large tariff reductions: Brazil (-13.6 pp), China (-7.1 pp), and India (-5.6 pp) benefit most, since the flat S122 surcharge replaces country-specific IEEPA rates that were far higher,” GTA said.
“At the other end, countries that already faced low tariffs before the ruling now pay more. The United Kingdom (+2.1 pp), Italy (+1.7 pp), and Singapore (+1.1 pp) see the largest increases, because the 15% S122 surcharge exceeds what they paid under the IEEPA regime.”
Parcelhero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks said: “New Government data released only last week reveals that UK goods exports to the US fell to £59.2bn in 2025. Compare that to £60.4bn in 2023.
“This £1.2bn slump in UK exports since Trump took office will be the tip of the iceberg if the USA goes ahead and imposes a 15% global tariff on the UK despite last year’s trade deal.
“Even the 10% global tariff introduced this week is bad for the UK, as it means Chinese exports to the US will plummet in price, eliminating the UK’s hard-fought advantage.”
Source: https://www.aircargonews.net/business/2026/02/logistics-uk-calls-for-clarity-on-latest-us-tariffs/
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