Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

US Trade and Pharmaceuticals

02 December 2025 · Department for Business and Trade

Proposed by Peter Kyle Lab Hove and Portslade

Business & Trade

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • UK and US have agreed on a zero percent tariff on pharmaceutical exports for three years.
  • The agreement includes mitigations under the US Most Favoured Nation drug pricing initiative.
  • The deal aims to prioritise early launches of new medicines in the UK and support life sciences investment.

Issue summary

This statement addresses the strengthening of the UK-US trading relationship through a zero percent tariff agreement on pharmaceutical exports for three years.

Action requested

The minister announces that the UK has secured a zero percent tariff on all pharmaceuticals exported to the US, along with mitigations under the US 'Most Favoured Nation' drug pricing initiative. This will ensure continued prioritisation of early launches of new medicines in the UK and support investment in life sciences.

Key facts

  • Trade between the UK and the US was worth £322bn in 2024, representing 18% of total UK trade.
  • The agreement secures zero percent tariff on all pharmaceuticals exported to the US for three years.
  • UK exports of pharmaceutical products to the US were worth over £5 billion in 2024.
  • The manufacture of pharmaceutical products contributed £25 billion to the UK economy in 2024.
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