The EU has announced plans to match US President Donald Trump's steel tariffs, doubling import levies to 50%, a move described as an 'existential threat' to the UK steel industry. With 80% of British steel exports destined for the EU, industry body UK Steel warned this could be the biggest crisis the sector has ever faced.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the UK is in discussions with both the EU and the US over the tariff proposals. Speaking to reporters, he said: 'I think our position in relation to our steel industry is one of strong support... we are in discussions with the EU about this, as we're in discussions with the US about it.' He declined to provide further details.
Industry Minister Chris McDonald stated it was 'vital' to protect trade flows between the UK and EU and that he would meet industry leaders on Thursday. He added he was 'pushing the European Commission for urgent clarification of the impact of this move on the UK'.
The European Commission's plan also includes slashing existing duty-free import quotas and requiring foreign suppliers to declare the origin of steel to prevent circumvention by China. EU officials said the rules would serve as a stepping stone in negotiations with the US, demonstrating a shared stance against Chinese steel dumping.
UK Steel's Gareth Stace called on the government to implement its own defensive measures, warning that a flood of diverted global steel could be 'terminal for many of our remaining steel companies'. Union leaders echoed the concern, with Community's Alasdair McDiarmid calling the tariffs an 'existential threat' and GMB's Charlotte Brumpton-Childs describing them as a 'hammer blow' that 'could be the end of steelmaking in the UK'.
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič denied the move was hostile to the UK, noting that once submitted to the WTO, the commission would discuss an 'allocation of the steel quota for UK'. The current quota system, in place for seven years, is due to expire in 2026 and is considered no longer fit for purpose.
