The United Kingdom has not ruled out imposing retaliatory tariffs against the United States following the introduction of new 15% US import duties, according to media reports.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office told Sky News that the government is keeping all options open in response to the latest US trade measures.

UK signals possible retaliatory tariffs against US

Asked whether the UK government could introduce countermeasures, a spokesperson for 10 Downing Street said, "Nothing is off the table."

The statement indicates that retaliatory tariffs against the US remain a possibility as London evaluates its response to the 15% US import tariffs announced over the weekend.

However, the spokesperson emphasized that British industry does not support escalating tensions into a trade war. The government, they added, places significant emphasis on "constructive engagement with our US counterparts."

Trump raises US import tariffs to 15%

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced an increase in import tariffs from 10% to 15% on all countries.

The move followed his decision to introduce a temporary 10% tariff on all imports for 150 days, after sharply criticizing a recent court ruling that challenged his earlier tariff measures.

The new 15% import duties mark a further escalation in the ongoing trade dispute and have raised concerns about the future of UK-US trade relations.

US Supreme Court ruling challenges tariff scheme

On Friday, the US Supreme Court ruled against the tariff scheme introduced by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

In response, Trump described the decision as a "ridiculous" ruling and proceeded with temporary tariffs before announcing the broader 15% increase.

The legal dispute adds another layer of uncertainty to the global trade environment, as governments, including the UK, weigh their options in response to Donald Trump's tariffs.

Previous UK measures to mitigate tariff impact

The latest developments come amid earlier UK efforts to shield exporters from tariff-related disruptions.

In April 2025, Britain announced a £26 billion expansion in export financing support, raising UK Export Finance’s total lending capacity to £80 billion. The package included up to £10 billion in targeted assistance for businesses most affected by US tariffs in the near term, as well as loans of up to £2 million for small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the time, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves said, "The world is changing, which is why it is more important than ever to back our world-leading businesses and support them to navigate the challenges ahead," adding that "Today's announcement will do that just, with thousands of businesses right across the country set to benefit."

Earlier that month, Starmer reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a trade agreement with the United States to ease tariff pressures, while signaling that direct state intervention could be necessary to safeguard national interests.

"Some people may feel uncomfortable about this – the idea the state should intervene directly to shape the market has often been derided," Starmer wrote, adding that "we simply cannot cling on to old sentiments when the world is turning this fast."

The measures reflected growing concerns over global trade instability following the expansion of tariff policies under the Trump administration, which economists warned could weigh on growth and inflation.