US–EU Trade Deal Signals New Trade Era

US–EU Trade Deal Signals New Trade Era

Aug 5, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The US and EU have agreed a landmark trade framework taking effect 1 August, with a 15% baseline tariff, replacing many higher existing rates.

In addition to lowering tariffs the new trade deal opens markets, and pledges huge investment flows, with significant opportunities for UK traders able to leverage the EU’s expanded access to the U.S. market.

Headline tariff changes:

  • Cars & parts – Cut from 27.5% to 15%
  • Pharmaceuticals & semiconductors – 0% tariff until review; max. 15% after
  • Steel & aluminium – Stay at 50% pending quota deal
  • Zero‑for‑zero tariffs – On aircraft, some chemicals, generic drugs, semiconductor equipment, selected agri‑products, raw materials
  • Still under negotiation – Wine and spirits tariffs

Strategic commitments:

  • EU to buy $750bn in US oil, LNG and nuclear technology
  • EU firms to invest $600bn in the US over Trump’s second term
  • Defence procurement from US suppliers planned

Opportunities for US, EU & UK Traders

The agreement creates multiple areas of advantage for transatlantic trade:

For EU exporters to the U.S.:

  • Reduced tariffs on high-value sectors such as cars, pharmaceuticals, and technology components.
  • Greater certainty in supply chain planning with capped tariff rates post-investigation.

For U.S. exporters to the EU:

  • Immediate tariff elimination for priority goods, expanding competitiveness in aerospace, chemicals, and agri-products.
  • Increased market access supported by European government procurement in energy and defence.

For UK exporters and importers:

  • Ability to leverage EU supply chains for tariff-advantaged U.S. market access.
  • Opportunities to integrate into transatlantic supply networks in sectors such as automotive, chemicals, and renewable energy.

Leverage Metro’s EU network, in‑house customs brokerage, and on‑the‑ground teams in the United States to navigate this new trade landscape. Whether you’re reassessing sourcing strategies, managing new tariffs, or planning market entry, our experts can deliver compliant, cost‑effective solutions across every mode and market.

Email Managing Director, Andrew Smith, to explore how we can optimise your US/EU trade strategy.

Budget Pressures Raise Questions for Business

Budget Pressures Raise Questions for Business

Jul 9, 2025 | , ,

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has triggered fresh uncertainty after cancelling a planned welfare reform expected to save £5.5 billion, leaving a significant hole in the Treasury’s accounts and raising the prospect of tax increases later this year.

Markets reacted swiftly: sterling dipped and government borrowing costs rose, reflecting investor concerns over how a growing £40 billion fiscal shortfall will be addressed. A revised budget is due this autumn, with attention turning to how the burden might be shared.

While no measures have been formally proposed, the freight industry is on alert. Possible changes include:

– Higher fuel duty, which would increase transport and delivery costs
– Stricter customs enforcement, potentially adding friction and delay
– Corporate tax rises, squeezing already tight logistics margins

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has urged the government to consult with the sector before taking action, stressing the need for stability and recognising logistics as vital to UK trade.

Offering a broader view, the Bank of England’s latest financial stability report suggests most UK companies remain resilient. Even under pressure from global shocks, including tariff hikes, rising interest rates, and a 10% fall in earnings, most are expected to meet their debt obligations.

For business, the message is clear: policy uncertainty may be unavoidable, but financial agility and early engagement will be key to overcoming what comes next.

EMAIL Laurence Burford, Chief Financial Officer, today to explore how Metro can support your business through ongoing global disruption.

Policy Shifts and Market Volatility

Policy Shifts and Market Volatility

Jun 9, 2025 | , ,

As the freight and logistics sector navigates a complex global landscape, the coming week marks a period of significant policy recalibration.

From fiscal reforms in the UK and US to central bank updates and ongoing geopolitical tensions, the external environment is shifting and with it, the operational and strategic considerations for logistics providers worldwide.

UK Spending Review 2025: A Reset for Public Investment and Infrastructure
The UK’s 2025 Spending Review, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on 11 June, represents a pivotal moment in the government’s fiscal strategy. It is the first multi-year review since 2021 and is being conducted under a “zero-based budgeting” approach, meaning all departmental budgets are being rebuilt from the ground up, rather than adjusted incrementally.

For the freight and logistics industry, the review carries several key implications:

  • Infrastructure Investment: The government has committed to a 10-year infrastructure strategy, with capital spending plans extending to 2029–30. An additional £113 billion is earmarked for capital infrastructure over the next five years. Logistics operators should closely monitor how this funding is allocated, particularly for road, rail, and port projects, which are critical to freight efficiency and network resilience.
  • Skills and Labour: A new construction skills package aims to train up to 60,000 additional workers, addressing chronic labour shortages in logistics-adjacent sectors. This may ease pressure on warehousing and construction timelines while supporting the development of new logistics hubs.
  • Public Procurement and Regional Development: The review is expected to shape procurement strategies and regional investment priorities. With a renewed focus on productivity and value for money, logistics firms engaged in public contracts or operating in economically underdeveloped regions, may see new opportunities or face tighter scrutiny.
  • Sustainability and Net Zero: While full details are pending, the review is likely to align with the UK’s broader decarbonisation goals. This may include funding for green transport initiatives, clean energy infrastructure, and incentives for low-emission freight solutions.

The Spending Review also comes amid a challenging economic context, shaped by inflation, global trade disruptions, and rising borrowing costs. Freight operators should prepare for a policy environment focused on efficiency, resilience, and long-term value creation.

Compounding these challenges, UK exports fell sharply in April, with a £2 billion decline in goods exports—driven primarily by new US import tariffs. This marked the largest monthly drop on record in exports to the United States and affected most categories of goods. Manufacturing output also fell, notably in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, as businesses scaled back production in anticipation of higher tariffs. After months of strong performance, export activity was further disrupted by firms pulling forward shipments earlier in the year to avoid newly imposed US levies.

US Tax Reform: A New Era for Trade and Investment?
In the United States, President Trump’s proposed “big, beautiful” tax bill is advancing through Congress. The legislation includes sweeping corporate tax cuts and incentives for domestic manufacturing, which could accelerate re-shoring trends and alter trade patterns. For logistics providers, this may result in:

  • Increased Domestic Freight Demand: As US-based production expands, demand for domestic transport, warehousing, and last-mile services is expected to rise.
  • Cross-Border Complexity: Changes to trade incentives and tariffs may shift the flow of goods between the US, Mexico, and Canada, requiring agile route planning and customs expertise.
  • Capital Investment Shifts: New tax incentives may drive clients to invest in automation, fleet upgrades, or new distribution centres—creating knock-on effects across the logistics value chain.

The new tariff regime is also contributing to global trade volatility. In the UK, the economic impact of the US tariffs is already being felt, with export volumes contracting and trade-dependent sectors seeing reduced investment activity. This highlights the need for logistics providers to stay alert to evolving bilateral trade risks and respond with adaptive planning.

Central Bank Updates: Currency and Credit Market Impacts
Both the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve have held key monetary policy meetings. The Fed is expected to update its economic outlook, while the BoE continues balancing inflation control with economic stability. The implications for logistics include:

  • Currency Volatility: Exchange rate movements can affect international freight pricing, fuel costs, and contract margins.
  • Interest Rate Sensitivity: Higher borrowing costs may influence fleet financing, infrastructure investment, and client demand—particularly in capital-intensive sectors such as construction and manufacturing.

As ever, the geopolitical landscape offers little certainty for confident decision-making. In this climate, Metro can help drive your business forward by:

  • Diversifying supplier and route networks to reduce exposure to geopolitical and trade risks
  • Enhancing supply chain resilience and responsiveness through our advanced MVT platform

EMAIL Laurence Burford, Chief Financial Officer, today to explore how Metro can support your business through ongoing global disruption.

Near-Shoring Gains Momentum Across EMEA

Near-Shoring Gains Momentum Across EMEA

Jun 5, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , ,

Faced with rising tariffs, geopolitical risk, and ongoing disruption to global transport networks, a growing number of businesses are turning to near-shoring as a strategic way to strengthen supply chains.

Near-shoring, the relocation of manufacturing or sourcing to nearby countries, gained attention in boardrooms when the pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of far-flung, overly concentrated supply chains, with the current tariff disruption renewing interest in the strategy.

Recent data reveals a clear trend: foreign direct investment (FDI) into near-shore manufacturing hubs in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and North Africa is up more than 60% compared with pre-pandemic levels. More than 15 destinations across these regions recorded five or more manufacturing investment projects each over the past year.

Companies are seeking to reduce exposure to tariff shocks, avoid over-reliance on a single geography or supplier, and better respond to market shifts. Unlike full re-shoring, near-shoring offers a balanced approach, retaining cost efficiency while improving agility.

Major global manufacturers are already making moves. A well-known French automotive brand invested €400m to expand its Turkish operations into an EU export hub, while Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is building its first European plant in Hungary. Hungary alone has seen a 140% rise in manufacturing investment over five years, with Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and North Macedonia also recording strong gains.

In North Africa, Morocco and Egypt are emerging as strategic alternatives. These markets combine population scale, cost competitiveness, and a growing skilled workforce, making them attractive to firms seeking stable, scalable supply options within reach of European customers.

Supply chain, cost, and environmental advantages
Beyond geopolitical resilience, near-shoring offers a wide range of operational and environmental benefits:

  • Shorter lead times: Reduced transit distances enable faster response to demand changes and shorter replenishment cycles.
  • Lower transport costs: Closer-to-home sourcing significantly reduces shipping spend and exposure to ocean freight volatility.
  • Less reliance on air freight: Shorter routes and predictable lead times reduce the need for costly, carbon-intensive air freight.
  • Lower emissions: A more regionalised supply chain helps reduce carbon footprints and supports ESG and net-zero targets.
  • Improved collaboration: Proximity improves communication, supplier relationships, and coordination across the supply chain.
  • Risk mitigation: Near-shoring builds resilience into operations, limiting the impact of global disruptions.

While near-shoring may not match Asia’s ultra-low production costs, countries such as Turkey, Hungary, Egypt, and Morocco offer a strong balance of affordability, labour availability, and growing infrastructure.

Long-term advantage through strategic sourcing
Near-shoring is no longer a short-term reaction to tariffs or global disruption, it’s becoming a foundational pillar of modern supply chain strategy. Brands that invest in supplier networks closer to their markets are gaining long-term advantage through speed, adaptability, sustainability, and reduced risk.

Power your near-shore strategy with Metro
Whether you’re exploring new EMEA sourcing options or already shifting production closer to home, Metro has the tools and expertise to optimise your near-shore operations.

  • Our MVT supply chain platform delivers vendor management and end-to-end visibility
  • Our dedicated EMEA and Overland department provides regional expertise and support
  • Our regular European road services, including market-leading Turkish services, ensure seamless overland freight and final-mile delivery

EMAIL managing director, Andrew Smith, today to streamline your near-shoring strategy and secure a more sustainable, resilient supply chain.

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