Businesses in the East Midlands are poised to benefit from three major trade agreements recently finalised by the UK Government with India, the United States, and the European Union.
The region’s aerospace sector employs over 23,000 people and is among the primary beneficiaries. The removal of US tariffs on UK aerospace exports and the reduction of Indian tariffs on advanced machinery and medical devices are expected to strengthen supply chains and improve export margins for companies such as Rolls-Royce and other regional employers.
Agricultural producers, supporting over 30,000 jobs in the East Midlands, are also expected to gain from reduced red tape and easier access to the EU market. The new agreement cuts customs checks and other administrative burdens, simplifying cross-border trade for food producers and manufacturers.
Steel businesses employing more than 2,000 people in the region will benefit from continued protections on British exports to the EU, shielding them from restrictive tariffs and trade barriers.
New opportunities are emerging for East Midlands exporters targeting the Indian market. In 2024, 740 regional businesses exported goods worth £308 million to India. The new UK-India deal eliminates import duties on several goods, expanding market access, particularly for the fashion and consumer goods sectors.
The deals across these sectors are expected to foster greater trade stability, attract inward investment, and protect existing jobs while opening up new commercial opportunities in global markets.
