opposition Conservative Party and political challenges from the Reform UK party, currently ahead of Labour in polls."} 5b:{"type":"p","text":"Bryant said on Dec. 15 that the deal will help “speed up economic growth,” one of the Labour government’s key priorities."} 5c:{"type":"p","text":"South Korea ranked as the UK’s 25th-largest trading partner, accounting for 0.8 percent of total trade."} 5d:{"type":"p","text":"UK exports to South Korea totaled 8.1 billion pounds ($10.8 billion) in the four quarters to the end of the second quarter of 2025. That was down 16.4 percent from the previous equivalent period, according to government data."} 5e:{"type":"p","text":"Imports from South Korea fell by 10.8 percent to 7 billion pounds ($9.3 billion).\r\n

Industry Reaction

\r\nUK officials said about 2 billion pounds ($2.6 billion) worth of exports were close to facing higher tariffs."} 5f:{"type":"p","text":"Those increases will now be avoided under the agreement. Products such as Guinness canned in Runcorn, Bentley cars made in Crewe, and Scottish salmon are expected to stay competitive in South Korea’s import market."} 60:{"type":"p","text":"Bentley Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Frank-Steffen Walliser said on Dec. 15 that South Korea is “a key market for Bentley and the luxury vehicle market.” He added that “smooth international trade is vital to UK automotive business growth.”"} 61:{"type":"p","text":"Diageo Interim Chief Executive Nik Jhangiani said on Dec. 15 that the deal would support export growth for Guinness and help meet rising demand from South Korean consumers."} 62:{"type":"p","text":"Britain’s auto industry also welcomed the agreement."} 63:{"type":"p","text":"The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) s

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