UK and US Resume Steel Talks as Trump State Visit Looms
WASHINGTON – The United Kingdom and the United States have restarted negotiations regarding steel and aluminum tariffs ahead of former President Donald Trump’s state visit, seeking a resolution to trade barriers impacting the British steel industry. Discussions center on easing restrictions imposed by the U.S. that require metals to be “melted and poured” within their country of origin to qualify for tariff relief – a condition proving especially challenging for UK producers.
The renewed talks arrive at a critical juncture for Britain’s steel sector, already strained by the September closure of Tata Steel UK’s Port talbot steel mill, a major exporter to the U.S. The outcome of these negotiations will determine the future viability of British steel exports and the associated jobs, with the International Chamber of Commerce UK warning of escalating economic damage and diminished growth prospects if a solution isn’t reached quickly.
Chris Southworth, head of the International Chamber of Commerce UK, emphasized the urgency, stating, ”The longer this goes on, the more uncertain it is, the more damaging it is, the less likely we are going to get growth, and the more threat there is to the jobs that are associated.”
U.S. regulations currently mandate the “melt and pour” process for tariff exemptions, a requirement challenging for the UK to meet following the Port Talbot mill’s shutdown. Southworth added there is “a great possibility” to finalize an agreement during the state visit, stressing, “We need a solution quickly.”
