Really?
In the recent U.S.–U.K. trade agreement announced on May 8, 2025, both nations secured specific concessions, though the deal remains limited in scope. Here’s a breakdown of the key negotiation items each side claimed as wins: 
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United Kingdom: Claimed Wins
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Elimination of U.S. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
• The U.S. removed the 25% tariffs on British steel and aluminum exports, providing relief to the U.K.’s struggling steel industry.  -
Reduction of Auto Tariffs
• Tariffs on up to 100,000 U.K.-made cars exported to the U.S. were reduced from 27.5% to 10%, benefiting British car manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover.  -
Preferential Treatment for Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace Components
• The U.S. agreed to give “preferential treatment” to the U.K.’s pharmaceutical industry and enhanced access for U.K. aerospace components.  -
Access to U.S. Beef Market
• British beef farmers gained access to the U.S. market, joining a select group of countries permitted to export beef to the U.S.  -
Maintenance of Food Safety Standards
• The U.K. maintained its bans on hormone-treated beef and chlorinated chicken, resisting U.S. pressure to relax food safety standards. 
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United States: Claimed Wins
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Increased Access to U.K. Agricultural Market
• The U.K. agreed to lower tariffs on U.S. beef and ethanol imports, providing new opportunities for American farmers.  -
$10 Billion Boeing Aircraft Purchase
• A British company committed to purchasing $10 billion worth of Boeing aircraft, bolstering the U.S. aerospace industry.  -
Streamlined Customs Processes
• The U.K. agreed to fast-track American goods through customs, reducing non-tariff barriers for U.S. exporters.  -
Retention of 10% Baseline Tariff
• The U.S. maintained a 10% baseline tariff on most U.K. goods, higher than pre-2025 levels, preserving leverage in ongoing trade negotiations
