@confused:
That's a good point about the situation in the UK.
Though keeping in mind that everywhere else in the world is more or less the same or worse than the EU, importing from the US should be the most cost effective solution. And for customers in many countries unfortunately importing is the only option.
To set an even match, both laptops configured to i7-8750H, 1050 Ti, Win10 Pro, FHD, 8GB RAM, 256GB NVMe SSD and biggest batteries are
XPS 15 9570: $1,440 USD / X1E: $2,060 USD
That's more than $600 of disparity verging on a cost of another laptop that could be spent elsewhere. Furthermore this number shoots up when customizing for top specs (Thinkpads seem to charge more) and counting the mandatory state/import taxes, regional VAT, shipping fees, etc.
Of course all that is worthwhile when you know you're buying a Thinkpad. How much of it is really though? Where is the replaceable keyboard, the drain-holes, magnesium plate (modernized roll-cage), dual hinges, removable battery, WWAN module and simple serviceability of Thinkpads? The sore truth is this may be Lenovo's hungry last-minute attempt at a carbon-copy of the XPS 15 for a piece of market share, painted in Thinkpad colors and wrapped in business tax bills.
Still, should people want better inputs, a second storage slot, and that timeless "suit of all laptops" design for extra cash, choosing the X1E is most definitely sensible.