Overall Landscape

Trade and tariffs

UK trade policy

Last updated: 31/08/2026

  • The UK currently has FTAs with over 70 countries in addition to the Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) reached with the EU. In most cases, FTAs seek to maintain continuity of pre-Brexit trade with third countries.
  • Several of these FTAs include clauses requiring the agreement to be re-negotiated. Negotiations are underway with Turkey. The government has signalled it will continue with these negotiations. 
  • In December 2025, the UK signed an updated FTA with South Korea. The FTA locks in preferential market access while introducing updated Rules of Origin provisions and streamlined customs processes. The full text of the treaty is expected to be released in 2026.
  • In May 2026, the UK concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council. Once the agreement is in force, the GCC will remove tariffs on 90% of tariff lines on UK goods, worth £580 million within 10 years. The UK has agreed to eliminate tariffs on all current imports from the GCC. 
  • The UK and US announced an outline ‘Economic Prosperity Deal’ (EPD) on tariffs and trade. The deal centres on product-specific tariff reduction, with full details yet to be published. The first tariff reductions for UK businesses applied to the automotive and aerospace sectors from 30 June 2025. In December 2025, as part of the EPD, the UK and US agreed a deal securing tariff-free treatment for UK pharmaceutical exports.
  • The UK launched a new Trade Strategy in June 2025, outlining the government’s approach to strengthening trade defence, securing more agile trade agreements, expanding export finance and aligning trade policy with other strategic priorities.
  • On 15 July 2026, the UK-India FTA entered into force. India has cut tariff rates on 90% of tariff lines and the UK has eliminated tariffs on 99% of Indian goods.
  • In July 2026, the UK and Switzerland announced the conclusion of negotiations on an enhanced FTA. The agreement is the UK's most significant trade deal for services and is expected to add GBP 5.2 billion each year to UK services exports to Switzerland over the long term. The draft text of the treaty is yet to be released.
  • Timing: this is an area of continuing change and timescales are being determined for each negotiation.

Resources (click to open)

Contacts

Amanda Tickel
Amanda Tickel

Partner (Head of Tax and Trade Policy)

+44 (0)20 7303 3812

ajtickel@deloitte.co.uk

Ciaran Bridges
Ciaran Bridges

Associate Director

+44 (0)20 8071 5051

ciaranbridges@deloitte.co.uk