The UK government has refused to criticise Donald Trump’s decision to impose 25 per cent tariffs on British steel exports, despite mounting concerns from industry leaders that the move will severely damage the sector.
Trump’s executive order, which removes exemptions for the UK and all other nations, will see all steel and aluminium imports into the US subject to tariffs from 12 March. Defending the policy, Trump declared from the Oval Office: “This is a big deal, the beginning of making America rich again. Our nation requires steel and aluminium to be made in America, not in foreign lands.”
Trade adviser Peter Navarro insisted the measures were essential to “secure our steel and aluminium industries as the backbone and pillar industries of America’s economic and national security”.
UK Steel director-general Gareth Stace condemned the decision, warning that Trump had “taken a sledgehammer to free trade” with potentially devastating consequences for the UK steel industry.
“This will not only hinder UK exports to the US, but it will also have hugely distortive effects on international trade flows, adding further import pressure to our own market,” Stace said. He argued that UK steel posed “no threat” to US national security, adding that many American industries rely on high-quality British steel that is not available domestically.
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