UK Steel Industry Faces Potential Crisis Amid Trump's Tariff Threat
The UK steel sector calls for urgent government action as the US plans to impose 25% tariffs on imported steel.
The UK steel industry has expressed grave concerns over the potential impact of 25% tariffs on steel imports announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The tariffs, set to be applied to ‘any steel coming into the United States,’ are expected to pose significant challenges to the UK sector, which exported 166,433 tonnes of steel to the U.S. in 2023, with exports accounting for approximately 5% of total UK steel exports that year.
Trade body UK Steel has urged key figures in the UK government, including opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, to take decisive action to protect the industry.
UK Steel Director General Gareth Stace noted that if the tariffs are implemented, it would result in a 'devastating blow to our industry' and endanger over £400 million of trade contributions from the steel sector.
The UK steel sector has faced numerous challenges in recent years, with some unions warning that additional tariffs could jeopardize jobs within a struggling sector.
Alasdair McDiarmid, Assistant General Secretary at the trade union Community, emphasized that the tariffs would be harmful and could threaten employment opportunities.
McDiarmid further noted that the UK is a significant supplier of specialist steel products necessary for U.S. defense and aerospace needs.
The U.S. is the second-largest market for UK steel, following the European Union.
While trade has been strong, concerns are rising that tariffs could redirect exports from other countries—including China—towards the UK, intensifying competition for domestic producers.
Responding to the impending tariffs, Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Union Unite, called for the UK steel sector to be classified as critical national infrastructure and requested changes that would encourage public sector procurements of British-produced steel.
The UK government has stated it is monitoring the situation closely and will engage with U.S. counterparts as necessary.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak noted that they would not speculate on retaliation measures and highlighted the importance of transatlantic economic cooperation.
During Trump’s first term, the UK steel industry faced previous tariffs in 2018, which were subsequently eased in 2022. Since then, President Trump has only implemented delayed duties on imports from Mexico and Canada, alongside other tariffs on Chinese goods.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey urged for a summit between the leaders of the four nations of the UK to formulate a cohesive strategy to address the economic ramifications of Trump's trade policy.
He indicated that the potential for tariffs has created deep uncertainty for those within the UK's steel industry.
The tariffs, set to be applied to ‘any steel coming into the United States,’ are expected to pose significant challenges to the UK sector, which exported 166,433 tonnes of steel to the U.S. in 2023, with exports accounting for approximately 5% of total UK steel exports that year.
Trade body UK Steel has urged key figures in the UK government, including opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, to take decisive action to protect the industry.
UK Steel Director General Gareth Stace noted that if the tariffs are implemented, it would result in a 'devastating blow to our industry' and endanger over £400 million of trade contributions from the steel sector.
The UK steel sector has faced numerous challenges in recent years, with some unions warning that additional tariffs could jeopardize jobs within a struggling sector.
Alasdair McDiarmid, Assistant General Secretary at the trade union Community, emphasized that the tariffs would be harmful and could threaten employment opportunities.
McDiarmid further noted that the UK is a significant supplier of specialist steel products necessary for U.S. defense and aerospace needs.
The U.S. is the second-largest market for UK steel, following the European Union.
While trade has been strong, concerns are rising that tariffs could redirect exports from other countries—including China—towards the UK, intensifying competition for domestic producers.
Responding to the impending tariffs, Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Union Unite, called for the UK steel sector to be classified as critical national infrastructure and requested changes that would encourage public sector procurements of British-produced steel.
The UK government has stated it is monitoring the situation closely and will engage with U.S. counterparts as necessary.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak noted that they would not speculate on retaliation measures and highlighted the importance of transatlantic economic cooperation.
During Trump’s first term, the UK steel industry faced previous tariffs in 2018, which were subsequently eased in 2022. Since then, President Trump has only implemented delayed duties on imports from Mexico and Canada, alongside other tariffs on Chinese goods.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey urged for a summit between the leaders of the four nations of the UK to formulate a cohesive strategy to address the economic ramifications of Trump's trade policy.
He indicated that the potential for tariffs has created deep uncertainty for those within the UK's steel industry.
