Bilateral discussions to resolve US tariffs on British-produced steel underway
It's great news that negotiations are underway between the UK and the USA to resolve the issue of tariffs being imposed on British-produced steel.
I recently met with the Trade Remedies Authority to discuss progress on reforming the UK's steel safeguards to ensure they work in the best interests of our steel industry. This meeting followed on from last year’s successful campaign to extend the UK’s existing steel safeguards. These safeguards are essential to protecting UK producers by preventing cheap steel imports from flooding the market and undercutting our domestic steel production.
I am now pleased to be able to report that our Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo and United States Trade Representative, Katherine Tai, have announced that bilateral discussions are underway to address global steel and aluminium excess capacity, including the United States’ application of tariffs on imports on British-produced steel.
I am also pleased that both parties have demonstrated a commitment to working together to achieve an outcome that ensures the viability of steel and aluminium industries in the face of challenges presented by global excess capacity. I am further reassured that there is recognition of the need to maintain high standards whilst holding to account those countries who persist in practising market distorting policies.
Negotiations are underway between the UK and the USA to resolve the issue of tariffs being imposed on British-produced steel.
I'd like to thank the Secretary of State for International Trade, Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, for securing these important negotiations and for her ongoing support for the UK steel industry. I raised the issue of US tariffs on UK steel exports with her in a meeting in December, and she assured me of her determination to bring the US to the negotiating table.
In a follow-up meeting with the Conservative Steel Caucus that I co-chair, the Secretary of State has confirmed that the negotiating teams for both sides have now met on multiple occasions, and that she is meeting on a fortnightly basis with the US Secretary of Commerce to help drive these important negotiations forward.
Talks will also address the wider issue of global oversupply of cheap steel which threatens to undermine our domestic steel industry.
Steel is fundamental to our local economy in the constituency, but it's also an asset of strategic national importance. I'm pleased that the Government recognise this and will continue to work closely with them and with Stocksbridge Speciality Steels to support and strengthen the industry going forward.
Read more about my work to protect our steel industry here.
