UK and Japan’s auto exports to the US plunge due to tariffs

The latest data shows that due to the impact of tariffs, the UK’s car exports to the US in May fell 55.4% year-on-year. In the same month, the UK’s car production fell 32.8% year-on-year to 49,810 vehicles, hitting a new low in monthly production in 76 years.

Earlier, data released by the Japanese Ministry of Finance showed that due to the impact of the US tariff policy, Japan’s exports to the US in May fell 11.1% year-on-year, of which the exports of cars and auto parts fell 24.7% and 19% respectively.

UK car exports to US plunge

On June 27 local time, data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that British car production has fallen sharply for the fifth consecutive month.

Specifically, in May, British car production fell 32.8% year-on-year to 49,810 units, the lowest monthly car production since 1949 (excluding 2020, which was hit by the new crown epidemic). SMMT said that the sharp slowdown in British car production was largely due to the ongoing model conversion, restructuring and tariffs. From January to May 2025, the total production of British cars was 348,200 units, a year-on-year decrease of 12.9%, the lowest level since 1953.

In addition, data showed that in May, the UK’s car exports to the US market fell 55.4% year-on-year, and car exports to the EU market fell 22.5% year-on-year. It is reported that the EU and the United States are the largest export markets for British cars.

Japan’s auto exports to the U.S. also fell sharply

Recently, the trade statistics released by the Ministry of Finance of Japan showed that due to the impact of the US automobile, steel and aluminum tariff policies, Japan’s exports to the US in May fell by 11.1% year-on-year. Among them, the export of automobiles, which was most affected by the US government’s tariff measures, fell sharply, with a year-on-year decline of 24.7%.

Data showed that in May, Japan’s exports to the United States fell by 11.1% year-on-year to 1.51 trillion yen, of which the export of automobiles and auto parts fell by 24.7% and 19% respectively. The export of automobiles and auto parts accounts for about one-third of Japan’s total exports to the United States. The US’s 25% tariff on automobile products has a huge impact on Japan’s exports.

In the early morning of June 17, Beijing time, after the leaders of Japan and the United States held talks on tariffs, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that the two sides still have differences. Japanese economic experts believe that the impact of US tariff measures is gradually emerging, and it is difficult for the Japanese government to reach a consensus with the US government in the short term.