In an urgent question, James Wild MP challenged the government on its approach to protecting British steel exports amid concerns over potential US tariffs. He raised questions about discussions with the new US administration regarding continuing tariff-free quotas for UK steel and criticised what he saw as a complacent stance in addressing this threat.
James highlighted the US President Trump’s support for tariffs and implied that the UK government’s reluctance to commit to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence may be hindering efforts to secure trade protections. He also suggested that the Prime Minister had not raised the issue of steel tariffs during a recent call with the US President.
With the British steel industry facing potential challenges, James pressed the government to take a more proactive stance in securing vital trade protections. As the US administration transitions, he stressed the urgency of continuing existing quotas that protect UK steel from tariffs.
James Wild MP said:
It is no secret that President Trump loves tariffs and intended to use them, and the Minister is coming across as a little complacent in his approach. Can he clarify whether any discussions have taken place with the Administration about continuing tariff-free quotas for British steel since the inauguration? Presumably, the Prime Minister did not raise that matter during his call. Does the Minister also concur that agreeing such protections is made harder by this Government’s failure to commit to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence?
In response, the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security said:
It is a matter of public record that the Prime Minister has had a couple of warm exchanges with the incoming President-elect of the United States, which I think is entirely right and appropriate. We now have a new UK ambassador, and I pay due tribute to the work of Karen Pierce, his predecessor, who did an exemplary job on behalf of the United Kingdom during the period of transition. It remains an indisputable fact, however, that Howard Lutnick is not yet in office as the US Commerce Secretary, and that Jamieson Greer is not in place as the US trade representative. Those are the individuals through whom these dialogues are normally conducted.
