London Business News

Tariff-Free London & UK-Based Alternatives to American Brands

LBN Reporter

War is on the horizon – a trade war.

President Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ left the UK saddled with a 10% tariff on all the goods we send across The Pond.

The UK has yet to respond, but for argument’s sake, if it does so by hitting US goods with a reciprocal 10% tax, that’s a hike in your bills and a bite out of your disposable income.

And that’s not to mention the fact that a trade war is in the offing between the US and China, meaning anything we import that contains chemicals or components from the East will be hit especially hard.

As such, there’s never been a better time to think about switching to ones with local supply chains and made right here in good old Blighty.

Our list features the best UK alternatives to US products that have won fans and customers in the capital.

Some of them are not just local – they’re hyper local, made right here in London, so you’re supporting the local economy by making the switch.

All the product prices quoted below are correct as of April 2025.  They are subject to change.

1. Maker’s Mark

whisky-best-uk-based-brand

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength (70cl) (London Liquor Store) | Pre-tariff: £63.99 | Post-tariff: £70.39.

Famous for its hand-applied red wax seal, Maker’s Mark is a popular American bourbon quaffed by Brits. Indeed, of the around one million bottles the distillery shops overseas each year, many of them head to these shores.

Maker’s Mark is celebrated for its rich, unique flavour and smoothness, owing to the red wheat in the mash bill.

The Brit alternatives we’ve listed below replicate some of the smoothness and distinctive bourbon whiskey sweetness you’ll find in real Kentucky bourbon.

British Alternatives

A single malt from the Glencadam Distillery in the Highlands of Scotland, aged in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. It has a creamy toffee and vanilla taste profile, making it an excellent alternative to American bourbon.

Distilled in Battersea, London, this English bourbon uses 75% corn and is aged in virgin American oak casks, offering a rich, American-style bourbon experience.

2. Goose Island

12x335ml bottles (London Liquor Store) | Pre-tariff: £25.08 | Post-Tariff Price: £27.59.

A favourite among discerning IPA fans, Goose Island is brewed in West Town, Chicago, and has built up a niche but ardent following among beer lovers in Britain thanks to its use of distinctive piney and citrusy hops.

The brand also opened dedicated venues in London, such as the Vintage Ale House in Balham and a brewpub in Shoreditch, but has subsequently closed.

The Brit alternatives below all boast some of that pine and citrus bitterness that drinkers of Goose Island enjoy.

British Alternatives

A beer with crisp, dry notes of fresh pine, marmalade & citrus. A deep, malty backbone makes way for an unyielding bitterness, reminiscent of grapefruit and orange peel.

The brewer’s take on the famed New England session style. Hops include Simcoe, Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Azacca and deliver taste notes of orange peel, mango, melon and pine.

A strong, piney IPA brewed exclusively with British-grown hops. It has a robust, resinous bitterness with earthy and piney aromas, which are characteristic of UK hop varieties. 100% UK-grown hops like Admiral and other British varieties.

3. New Balance ‘Made in USA’

990v6 shoe (New Balance website) | Pre-tariff: £220.00 | Post-Tariff Price: £242.00.

New Balance’s Made in America is renowned for its American craftsmanship – all its shoes are made in its Boston and Maine factories.

Highly trained craftspeople assemble each pair — it’s not mass outsourced – and they have a price to reflect the fact.

The 990v6 shoe sells particularly well in the UK. Both an everyday sneaker and a running shoe, it offers excellent cushioning and support, making it suitable for daily wear and light athletic activities.

The British alternatives we’ve listed below sport some of the same cushioning and heft of the popular 990v6 New Balance shoe.

British Alternatives

A versatile, lightweight, and performance-oriented shoe, designed right here in London. It’s made from recycled ocean plastics and vegan materials.

The Horwich shoe sports the name of the borough of Bolton, where the shoes are handmade. They’re a trail shoe made for comfort when on the road.

Another London-based brand, Duke + Dexter are expert in crafting luxe low-top sneakers using Italian suede and nappa leather. Its low-tops feature a cushioned EVA sole and a bamboo-lined interior for breathable comfort.

4. Big Bud Press

Original Overalls: Mono Black (Official Big Bud Press website) | Pre-tariff: £193.00 | Post-Tariff Price: £212.30.

California-based fashion brand Big Bud Press has won a cult following in London thanks to its high-end concept clothes, ethical production methods and plus-size clothing.

The brand’s signature range of funky throw-back tees and especially its strikingly colourful range of dungarees are favourites among UK buyers.

The price reflects the fact that they’re made from premium cotton (custom-developed 14.5oz 100% cotton broken twill denim made at America’s oldest functional denim mill)

The UK brands below sport some of the same shabby chic and premium quality materials you’ll find with the California brand, sporting the same sense of fun and playfulness.

British Alternatives

These sturdy but stretchy overalls made from cotton will offer the wearer a relaxed, ultra-comfy fit. The fun pattern uses a base colour of forest green over which are printed hand-illustrated magical designs featuring the moon, hare, luna moth, and a jackalope.

A cult favourite among London’s fashionistas thanks to their colourful, comfy, and eco-consciousness, the Eastons are super roomy overalls that come in multiple lengths and washes.

TOAST’s take on the classic pair of dungarees ticks all the boxes: they are refined, minimalist and super sustainable. Made from hemp, the dungarees are 100% organic and ideal for all-season wear.

5. Snap-on

8pc Ratcheting Soft Grip Screwdriver Set (Snap-on website) | Pre-tariff price: £170.64 | Post-tariff price: £187.70.

Ask any mechanic, engineer or DIY enthusiast in London and you’ll likely be told that Snap-on tools, made in Wisconsin and Kentucky, are the best in the business.

Snap-on tools are highly regarded for their precision and durability. All its tools come with a lifetime warranty and sport an ergonomic design, making them popular among everyone from DIY hobbyists to Formula One pit crews.

The company’s eight-piece ratcheting soft grip screwdriver set (red) is a popular seller in the UK.

The British manufacturers below match some of Snap On’s ergonomics and durability.

British Alternatives

Fashioned from heat-treated chrome vanadium steel, this screwdriver set possesses a gearless ratchet mechanism and works in both left and right directions. Supplied with 6 bits

Each screwdriver is fitted with a magnetic shaft for secure bit retention and an ambidextrous ratchet mechanism. Comes with 10 bits and cushion grip for added dexterity and comfort.

Comes with both forward and reverse ratcheting action. All the tools are made with ergonomic soft-grip handles. Supplied with six 89mm long, 1/4″ hex hardened and tempered satin chrome vanadium steel insert bits with sand blasted tips.

6. Kiehl’s

Ultra Facial Cream (50ml) (Kiehl’s website) | (Pre-tariff price: £37 | Post-tariff price: £40.70).

US skin brand Kiehl’s has grown in popularity in recent years and has recently infiltrated high-end London department stores – its skincare products are currently stocked in both Harrods and Selfridges.

It also operates a standalone store on Regent Street.

A deeply hydrating moisturiser, it’s made from olive-derived squalane, which helps lock in moisture and leave the skin feeling super soft and supple.

British Alternatives

An award-winning moisturiser from one of the UK’s most popular skincare brands, Wild Rose Beauty Balm has been a beauty editor favourite since it was introduced in 2004. The secret sauce is its organic wild rosehip seed oil and a mix of organic plant oils, which keep skin well hydrated and moisturised all day long.

Proven to help repair your skin in just 15 minutes, this balm from London-based REN is perfect for sensitive,  dry and stressed skin. It’s enriched with a lipid-rich complex of enzymatically activated oils that suffuse the skin to reduce water loss and regenerate the skin.

A best-selling daily moisturiser, Elemis’ Marine Cream is made with marine and plant ingredients, and features moisture-boosting superhero algae Padina Pavonica, Chlorella and Ginkgo Biloba, to improve firmness and keep the skin well hydrated.

7. Wonderful Almonds

Wonderful Almonds Natural (400g) (Ocado) | Pre-tariff price: £6 | Post-tariff price: £6.60.

Most of the world’s almonds come from California, so if you need a nutty fix, you might find it tricky to find them not sourced in the US.

Wonder Almonds, stocked at Ocado, are popular in the UK and come directly from California orchards, meaning they burst with a sweet, mild flavour and crunchy texture.

The almonds and almond-derived goodies we have listed below are harvested right here in the UK.

British Alternatives

Nush Natural Almond Cream Cheese Style Spread (150g)

Nush creates delicious, dairy-free yoghurt and spread alternatives using Sicilian almonds. While the almonds aren’t UK-grown, they’re processed in Greater London, keeping the production local and ethical. Their products are all free from preservatives, artificial nasties, and added sugars.

One of the only almond growers in the UK, the Kent-based farm produces cobnuts, almonds, and walnuts. All their almonds are hand-harvested and roasted in the Garden of England.

8. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

Ocean Spray Cranberry Classic (1L) (Waitrose) | Pre-tariff price: £1.45, 1l | Post-tariff price: £1.60.

Around half of the world’s cranberries come from swamps in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

Ocean Spray harvest most of them for its famous cranberry juice and controls about 75% of the US cranberry juice market.

Niche cranberry farmers exist in Britain, and their local berries go into some of the finest juices you’ll find in the UK.

British Alternatives

Biona offers 100% pure cranberry juice made from organic cranberries. All of them are free from preservatives and not from concentrate.

Pressuice offers a 100% fruit-based cranberry juice, cold-pressed from cranberries sourced from regional UK suppliers.

Britain Needs Londoners More Than America!

We’ve given you British alternatives to US products and where to buy them.

Now it’s up to you.

So come on, Londoners!

It’s time to summon that famous Blitz spirit and do your bit for Blighty by buying British.

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LBN ReporterFreelance Journalist & Content Creator
Content creator and contributor, freelance journalist and writer.
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