缩水了？英美签署贸易相关协议，但关键条款仍悬而未决

Group 1: Agreement Overview - The recently signed agreement between the US and UK is described as a "trivial small tariff agreement" by UK Conservative Party leader Badenoch, indicating its limited scope compared to previous commitments [1] - The agreement primarily focuses on tariff reductions for UK automotive and aerospace products, while steel and pharmaceutical tariffs remain under negotiation, leading to a narrower actual coverage than expected [1][5] - The agreement lacks legal binding force, allowing either party to modify or withdraw at any time, raising concerns about its stability and execution [1][8] Group 2: Automotive and Aerospace Tariffs - UK-produced cars will benefit from a tariff quota of 100,000 units annually at a 10% tax rate, which is lower than the 25% tariff imposed on other trade partners [3] - Import tariffs on UK aerospace products will be eliminated immediately upon publication in the Federal Register, aligning with the WTO Civil Aircraft Agreement [4] Group 3: Outstanding Issues - Tariff issues regarding steel and pharmaceuticals remain unresolved, with the US Secretary of Commerce set to evaluate the UK's compliance with supply chain security standards before establishing steel and aluminum tariff quotas [5][6] - The UK government aims for zero tariffs on core steel products, but negotiations are ongoing, and the implementation timeline is uncertain [6][8] Group 4: Agricultural Trade - The agreement allows US farmers to export 13,000 metric tons of beef to the UK annually, a significant increase from the previous quota of 1,000 metric tons, while maintaining strict food safety standards [7] - The UK will also provide a duty-free quota of 1.4 billion liters for US ethanol producers, which is equivalent to the UK's total annual ethanol demand, raising concerns among domestic producers [7] Group 5: Broader Trade Context - The agreement is viewed as a memorandum rather than a comprehensive trade deal, failing to meet the standards of a free trade agreement and violating WTO's most-favored-nation principle [8] - The slow progress of trade negotiations is highlighted, with the UK being the only country to reach such an agreement with the US so far [8]