US Tariffs and Impact on UK Trade: Assessing Impact, Managing Uncertainty

Join the Chambers Trade Academy for this free webinar, where we will be discussing the recent U.S. tariff announcements and implications for UK trade. On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs, including a 10% duty on all UK imports and a specific 25% tariff on automobiles which will extend to auto parts in the next few weeks. 195 countries have been hit by these tariffs and with highly interconnected global trading networks, UK companies must closely monitor U.S. tariff announcements and proactively manage their impact to stay competitive in an evolving trade landscape. Sudden tariff changes can significantly increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and reduce market access.

The event will offer:

• An overview of the sectors most affected, such as the automotive industry, which faces significant challenges due to the 25% tariffs in car exports
• Economic Impact: Explore the broader economic consequences, including impact on global economic growth and shifts in trade dynamics
• Expert Panel Discussion: Engage with policy experts as they discuss strategies to navigate the new trade barriers

Speakers Confirmed

• William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce
  • William Bain is a seasoned trade policy expert and former Member of Parliament, currently serving as Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Since joining the BCC in June 2021, he has led policy development on UK-EU and global trade issues, advising businesses from multinationals to SMEs on navigating post-Brexit trade dynamics, including the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Windsor Framework.
• Chris Southworth, Secretary General at the International Chambers of Commerce
  • Chris Southworth is the Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) United Kingdom and a prominent advocate for modernizing global trade through digital innovation. He co-founded the UK Centre for Digital Trade and Innovation and represents the ICC to The Commonwealth, where he co-chairs the B2B Cluster for the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda.
• Caroline Barraclough, Partner and Director at Deloitte

  • Caroline leads the UK Global Trade Advisory team with circa. 20 years’ experience in industry and practice. Her industry experience includes working for a large UK retailer in addition to leading the Global Customs and Excise Team for a large multinational consumer products/excise business.

• Alessio Lencioni, Head of Product and Strategy at VATIT/Stream 
  • Alessio is an established expert in international trade, with a focus on cross-border logistics, global VAT strategy, and regulatory compliance across the UK, EU, and U.S. markets. His career spans advising businesses — from agile SMEs to large multinationals — on how to navigate international supply chains, mitigate tariff exposure, and structure their operations for long-term cross-border success. Alessio is widely recognized for his ability to break down complex trade and tax challenges into clear, actionable strategies that align with both commercial and regulatory goals. His work helps businesses not just trade globally, but trade smarter.

Agenda

• 12:00 – 12:05 Welcome and Intro to CTA
• 12:05 – 12:20 Summary of US Tariffs and Impact on UK Trade, William Bain, Head of Policy at BCC
• 12:20 – 12:55 US Tariffs Impact of Global Trade, Managing Risks and Planning for the Future Q&A Session
• 12:55 – 13:00 Closing Remarks