UK mulls retaliatory tariffs on US salmon as new trade war looms.
The UK government is weighing possible retaliatory tariffs on a range of US products, including Pacific salmon, in response to new trade measures announced by President Donald Trump this week.
Under the new US tariff regime unveiled on Tuesday, UK salmon exporters face a 10% import duty when selling into the American market, alongside a 15% tariff on Norwegian salmon and a 20% tariff on EU-processed goods. Chile, Australia, and New Zealand have also been hit with 10% duties.
In remarks made on Wednesday, UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the government is taking the announcement seriously. “The US is our closest ally, so our approach is to remain calm and committed to doing this deal, which we hope will mitigate the impact of what has been announced today,” he said. “Nobody wants a trade war and our intention remains to secure a deal. But nothing is off the table and the Government will do everything necessary to defend the UK’s national interest.”
A recently published Request for Input: Indicative Product List from the UK Department for Business and Trade outlines a series of US-origin goods that could be subject to retaliatory tariffs. Among them are:
- Live Pacific salmon (CN code 03019911)
- Fresh or chilled Pacific salmon (03021300)
- Salted/brined Pacific salmon, excluding fillets and offal (03056950)
- Smoked Pacific salmon, including fillets (03054100)
- Prepared or preserved salmon, excluding whole/in pieces (16042010)
The move highlights the UK seafood sector’s vulnerability to shifts in international trade policy. Although the UK exports a substantial amount of salmon to the US, the reverse trade is also culturally and economically significant. Much of this trade has involved canned salmon, a staple product in the UK market.
As of 2024, the US accounted for 27% of the value of Scottish salmon exports, according to HMRC figures. In total, Scottish salmon exports hit £844 million last year, a record high, with the US the second-largest destination market after France.
With salmon playing a central role in UK seafood exports, industry observers are closely watching how both governments respond in the coming weeks. The risk of a tit-for-tat escalation remains high.