Update: US Tariffs and the Global Response – Implications for the UK Tech Sector

This insight is live and will be continuously updated as new announcements are made. 


Since the publication of our previous article, there have been significant developments concerning US tariffs and their global repercussions:

  • On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced a 10% universal tariff on all imports to the US, effective April 5, with additional "reciprocal" tariffs on specific countries paused for a 90 day period.
  • In response, the UK government has initiated a consultation process with businesses to assess the impact of potential retaliatory measures. A comprehensive list of US products has been published, detailing goods that could be targeted in any future UK action.
  • The UK is also engaging in negotiations with the US to establish an economic partnership agreement that could potentially reduce or eliminate the tariff currently imposed on UK goods.

Analysis: Impact on the UK Tech Sector

While the imposition of tariffs and the prospect of retaliatory measures have direct implications for the UK tech sector, the predominantly services-oriented nature of the industry means the immediate impact may be less severe compared to sectors heavily reliant on goods exports. However, the UK tech sector is deeply integrated into the global economy and is highly susceptible to broader economic dynamics. Trade tensions among major partners, such as the US and EU, pose significant risks, as the sector thrives on a stable, rule-based international trading system that supports economic growth and innovation.

techUK's Ongoing Work

techUK continues to monitor these developments closely. We are actively working on a response to the government's consultation on potential retaliatory measures and are preparing a comprehensive paper outlining our vision for a UK-US economic partnership agreement. Drafts of both documents are available, and we encourage members to reach out directly with any questions or to provide input.


techUK is monitoring the global reaction to the announced tariffs and the implications for our sector in the UK and abroad.

Members who have questions on any of the above can reach out to [email protected]

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Sabina Ciofu is Associate Director – International, running the International Policy and Trade Programme at techUK.

Based in Brussels, she leads our EU policy and engagement. She is also our lead on international trade policy, with a focus on digital trade chapter in FTAs, regulatory cooperation as well as broader engagement with the G7, G20, WTO and OECD.

As a transatlanticist at heart, Sabina is a GMF Marshall Memorial fellow and issue-lead on the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, within DigitalEurope.

Previously, she worked as Policy Advisor to a Member of the European Parliament for almost a decade, where she specialised in tech regulation, international trade and EU-US relations.

Sabina loves building communities and bringing people together. She is the founder of the Gentlewomen’s Club and co-organiser of the Young Professionals in Digital Policy. Previously, as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, she led several youth civic engagement and gender equality projects.

She sits on the Advisory Board of the University College London European Institute, Café Transatlantique, a network of women in transatlantic technology policy and The Nine, Brussels’ first members-only club designed for women.

Sabina holds an MA in War Studies from King’s College London and a BA in Classics from the University of Cambridge.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+32 473 323 280
Website:
www.techuk.org

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Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

Daniel Clarke

Daniel Clarke

Policy Manager for International Policy and Trade, techUK

Theophile Maiziere

Theophile Maiziere

Policy Manager - EU, techUK

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Lewis Walmesley-Browne

Head of Market Access and Consumer Tech, techUK

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Team Assistant, Policy and Public Affairs, techUK