BritishAmerican Business (ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ) has launched the latest edition of its annual Trade and Investment Guide, a comprehensive and practical resource to help UK companies navigate the US market.

While recent shifts in US trade and business policy have created new considerations for UK companies, the US remains the UK’s single most important trading partner and an incredibly attractive market for exporters and investors.

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s updated Guide provides UK businesses with sector-specific insights, practical advice, and on-the-ground resources to help companies successfully navigate the vast US market. It covers legal and tax and considerations, visas, insurance and logistics as well as state-level opportunities and business expansion support.

The Guide explores how UK businesses can identify the right opportunities for their sector – whether that be technology or fintech in California and New York, life sciences in Massachusetts, logistics in Georgia or advanced manufacturing and automotive in states such as Ohio and South Carolina.

It also highlights the growing importance of state-level engagement as US states continue to deploy significant economic development budgets to attract investment, strengthen supply chains, and support growth industries.

BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“Despite recent changes in its trade and tariff policy, the US remains an incredibly attractive market for UK businesses. The scale of opportunity across the economy makes it a priority destination for many ambitious UK companies.

“Increasingly, US states are competing harder than ever for investment, deploying billions in incentives and building sector-specific ecosystems in technology, energy, innovation and manufacturing. There are substantial opportunities for UK companies, but success requires a localised approach.

“Identifying the right state to enter first and building the right partnerships on the ground are all critical to long-term success. This Guide is designed to help businesses navigate the market, identify the right entry points and expand their business.�

Finding Your Way – The Trade & Investment Guide to the US includes contributions from the UK and US government, economic development organisations, regional partners and many private sector organisations. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ would like to thank the many stakeholders and partners who have helped produce this comprehensive resource.

US investment in the UK food and drink sector could come under pressure unless government takes a more coordinated approach to regulation, according to a new report published by BritishAmerican Business (ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ).

The report highlights concerns that the cumulative impact of overlapping regulatory changes is increasing costs and creating uncertainty for the food and drink industry. These include restrictions on the advertising and promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), proposed changes to the Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM), and a range of environmental, packaging and labelling requirements.

Food and drink manufacturing contributes £42 billion to the UK economy and supports nearly half a million jobs. US-headquartered companies have invested hundreds of millions of pounds in UK manufacturing, innovation and supply chains in recent years, but as businesses weigh investment opportunities across international markets, regulatory complexity and uncertainty are becoming increasingly important considerations.

While individual regulatory measures are intended to deliver important public health and environmental benefits, the report argues that government must also consider their combined impact on competitiveness, investment and growth. This is particularly important against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, energy market volatility and ongoing pressure on food prices.

The report comes as the UK government closes its consultation on applying a revised Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) to advertising and promotions restrictions. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s response urges policymakers to ensure any changes are evidence-based, proportionate and implemented in a way that gives businesses the certainty needed to continue investing, innovating and manufacturing in the UK.

BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“The UK’s food and drink sector is one of the country’s economic success stories and an important part of the transatlantic relationship. It supports jobs and attracts significant investment from US companies.

“The UK government has ambitious objectives on growth, public health and sustainability, and business shares those goals. But there is a growing risk that policies developed in isolation create unintended consequences when layered on top of one another. Competitiveness must remain part of the conversation.

“Investment decisions are ultimately about confidence. If regulatory change becomes too complex, unpredictable or costly, the UK risks making itself less attractive for the very investment that supports jobs, innovation and growth.”

On 9 June, NHS England published detailed guidance on the Net Zero Supplier Roadmap, providing further information on how the policy will be implemented.

BritishAmerican Business (ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ) supports the UK’s broader climate ambitions and recognises its commitment to reduce emissions across the healthcare system. Many of our members have already made significant commitments to sustainability and are investing heavily in emissions reduction across their operations. This includes complying with the existing procurement requirements for all suppliers to commit to net zero 2050, scopes 1, 2 and certain scope 3 emissions for UK operations.

However, significant concerns remain that expansion of the new requirement to include extra-territorial non-UK operational emissions and all the Scope 3 categories will place an undue and disproportionate burden on some companies with extensive global supply chains. This expanded scope now includes whole global supply chains – not just in the UK.  Without a global scope 3 commitment, companies will be excluded from participating in supply tenders with the NHS, subject to certain targeted exemptions.

We support calls from industry organisations for government and NHS England to ensure the impact of this new net zero requirement on supply resiliency and fair competition is properly understood and assessed. Any such approach should be as proportionate and achievable as possible, consistent with the Life Sciences Sector Plan. We note from the NHS’s market sounding response that a significant proportion of respondents did not support the proposed expansion of the Net Zero commitments geographical boundary beyond the UK.

Life sciences and medical technology companies play an important role in supporting the NHS, investing in the UK economy, and providing innovative medicines, technologies, and healthcare products for patients. It is important that implementation of the Roadmap supports the NHS’s sustainability objectives while avoiding unintended barriers to cost-effective NHS procurement, inward investment, patient access and choice, or supply chain resilience.

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ will continue to engage constructively with government, NHS England, and industry partners to request proper assessments are undertaken and changes based on those assessments are included.

Leading US and UK energy companies will meet with Jonathan Brearley, Permanent Secretary at the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), in Washington, DC, today to discuss the future of transatlantic energy cooperation and the role of business in strengthening energy security, affordability, and economic growth.

The meeting comes as BritishAmerican Business (ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ) publishes a new policy paper, The US-UK Energy Landscape: Tactical Opportunities for Cooperation Amidst Strategic Divergence, which argues that while the US and UK are pursuing different energy strategies based on domestic priorities, both governments share the same objective to deliver secure, affordable energy while supporting growth. Rather than creating friction, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ suggests these distinct approaches present new opportunities for cooperation, investment, and innovation across the transatlantic corridor.

The report, which draws on input from leading US and UK energy companies, prioritises three areas:

• • Market Diversification– Expand US-UK cooperation on nuclear energy, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and fusion technologies to strengthen energy security, accelerate commercial deployment, and develop resilient transatlantic supply chains.
  • Accelerating Transmission and Grid Infrastructure Deployment– Enhance collaboration on grid planning, permitting, technical expertise, and critical supply chains, including transformers and cables, to meet rising electricity demand driven by AI, advanced manufacturing, and electrification.
  • Pricing and Market Design Reform– Pursue reforms that reduce exposure to energy price volatility, improve investment signals, and support more affordable and competitive energy markets, particularly in the UK.

BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“The US and the UK are pursuing distinct energy strategies shaped by different domestic priorities, and those differences create opportunities as well as challenges. There are significant opportunities for the US and UK to work together on advanced energy technologies, grid infrastructure and market reform in ways that can improve energy security and support investment.

“At a time of geopolitical uncertainty and increasing energy demand, particularly from AI and advanced manufacturing, decision-makers should focus on areas where the US-UK can make progress together. The transatlantic energy relationship is already strong, but both countries have an opportunity to build on that as they reshape their energy systems.”

BritishAmerican Business (ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ) has today published its one-year review of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), concluding that while the agreement has delivered progress in areas such as pharmaceuticals and aerospace, delivery across the wider agenda has been uneven and uncertainty continues to weigh on businesses.

Signed on May 8 2025 by President Trump and Prime Minister Starmer, the EPD was intended to strengthen the transatlantic economic relationship following the introduction of US ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs. The review highlights progress in pharmaceuticals, including the UK-US agreement securing tariff-free access for UK pharma exports, alongside the removal of aerospace and whisky tariffs, the implementation of the auto tariff quota, and improved market access for UK beef exporters.

However, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ warns that large parts of the deal remain unresolved, particularly around steel and aluminium, digital trade, mutual recognition agreements and other wider non-tariff barriers. The report also emphasises that repeated shifts in US trade policy, including the recent court ruling striking down tariffs imposed under emergency powers, followed by new tariff measures under Section 122 and expanded Section 232 investigations, are creating ongoing uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

The review follows a year of intense UK-US engagement, including two state visits and a series of announcements on trade, investment and economic cooperation. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ says these moments have reinforced the importance of the transatlantic relationship, but suggests that beyond the headlines, there needs to be more consistent delivery for business if the EPD is to fulfil its wider ambitions.

BritishAmerican Business CEO Duncan Edwards said:

“Over the past year, we’ve seen real momentum in the UK-US relationship, with major progress in areas like pharmaceuticals, aerospace and investment pledges. The two state visits have also reinforced how important this partnership remains on both sides of the Atlantic.

“But while there have been genuine successes, delivery across the wider Economic Prosperity Deal has been uneven. In too many areas, businesses are still waiting for clarity on tariffs, regulation and implementation.

“The recent court ruling on tariffs was welcomed by business, but the shift toward alternative tariff tools and continued Section 232 investigations means uncertainty remains a real concern. Businesses want predictability and that is still missing in several important areas.�

As the leading transatlantic business organisation, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ will continue to monitor and evaluate every commitment in the EPD. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ urges both governments to ensure progress remains on track and helps deliver tangible benefits for transatlantic businesses.

On Thursday 14th March 2024 a select group of businesses, led by AmexGBT and BritishAmerican Business met
with Anthony Browne, Minister for Aviation, and Claire Swadkin Deputy Director in the Low Carbon Fuels Team at
the Department for Transport, and team, to discuss how vital business travel is in reaching Jet Zero and how industry is working to achieve greater supply and demand of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The objective was
to understand industry perspectives of how Government can support access to SAF.

You can read the summary notes from the meeting here.

BritishAmerican Business has submitted a letter to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) seeking clarification on regulations covering the US subsidiaries of foreign parent companies as it applies to the Stock Buyback Excise Tax provision contained in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

To read our submission, click here.