The Prime Minister has been strongly urged to protect the British steel industry from the US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs which would be a massive blow to the sector.
President Trump has announced that he is planning a 25% tariff on “any steel coming into the United States” and that aluminium will also be affected with additional duties.
Sir Keir Starmer is waiting to see the details of Trumps tariffs policies as they have not seen “any detailed proposals” overnight.
In 2023 the UK exported 166,433 tonnes of stell to America and trade body UK Steel figures shows that in 2024 162,716 tonnes was sent to the US and unions are calling for action from Ministers as more job cuts could be at risk for the industry.
UK Steel director general Gareth Stace warned that should Trump go ahead with the tariffs this will “be a devastating blow to our industry” which will cause “damage over £400 million worth of the steel sector’s contribution to the UK’s balance of trade.”
He added, “It is deeply disappointing if President Trump sees the need to target UK steel, given our relatively small production volumes compared to major steel nations.
“The UK produces world-leading steel, supplying the US with high-quality products for defence, aerospace, stainless, and other critical sectors, materials that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.”
The steel industry also has fears that Trump’s tariffs could see exports coming from China to the UK placing further pressure on the sector.
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said, “Donald Trump’s latest threat of tariffs will plunge many into deep uncertainty – not least those working in our great British steel industry.
“Keir Starmer must immediately call a Four Nations summit with leaders across the United Kingdom, to agree a joint plan to protect our economy from Trump’s damaging trade war.”
Alasdair McDiarmid, assistant general secretary at trade union Community, said, “At a time of uncertainty for the sector, a punitive new tariff on UK steel exports would be hugely damaging and threaten jobs.
“For the US it would also be self-defeating, as the UK is a leading supplier of specialist steel products required by their defence and aerospace sectors.”
Downing Street said that they will “work closely” with the US “together on a range of economic issues, supporting jobs.”
“I haven’t seen any detailed proposals following the reporting overnight, but we will obviously engage as appropriate,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
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