Downing Street has refused to confirm whether British steel exporters will be hit with 50% US tariffs from Wednesday, despite a previously announced agreement aimed at removing such charges.
Asked directly, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s up to the United States to make their own policy announcements.”
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set to attend a meeting of trade ministers in Paris later today, where he is expected to meet with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss the implementation of the UK-US trade agreement announced last month.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman added: “You will remember that the agreement is committed to removing tariffs on steel and aluminium to save jobs and help the UK industry. That would mean that once that deal has been implemented, the steel industry will not pay tariffs for the majority of steel products they’re exporting to the US.”
When asked whether it was “embarrassing” that UK steelmakers could face tougher conditions even after securing a deal, he responded: “I’m not going to get ahead of announcements from the United States.”
He continued: “What you’ve seen so far is the US and the UK agree a landmark deal across sectors to protect British industries – cars, steel, aluminium – and you’ve seen the welcoming statements the industries have made in support of the agreement. When it comes to implementation of the agreement, that work is ongoing.”
