STEEL TARIFF REPRIEVE FOR OUR WORKERS
UK exempt from US import taxes
DONALD Trump bowed to pressure last night by granting Britain and the rest of the EU an exemption from steel tariffs.
The US President wanted to slap duties of 25% on imports of steel and 10% on aluminium – jeopardising the UK’s already fragile industry.
It was due to come into force at 4am today, but US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Trump had decided to “pause” the tariffs.
The measure is understood to be temporary and also covers Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea.
Labour MP Stephen Kinnock, whose constituency covers the huge Port Talbot plant in South Wales, said steelworkers would “sigh with relief ”.
But he added: “We are by no means out of the woods yet.
“The EU and UK Government must now redouble their efforts to secure a permanent exemption from scattergun Trump tariffs. A temporary exemption is a sticking plaster.”
America’s move came as EU leaders gathered in Brussels for a summit, where transatlantic trade tensions were due to be discussed.
The UK sends 350,000 tonnes of steel, worth £360million, to the US each year. UK Steel’s Gareth Stace said of the tariffs exemption: “It now provides us with the breathing room to find a more permanent solution.”
The Mirror has been campaigning to Save Our Steel since 2015 when the industry was hit by China flooding the market with cheap metal – a practice known as dumping.
Thousands of jobs were lost as firms grappled with the competition.
Insiders fear more problems for the industry, even if Britain is permanently exempted from US tariffs.
Affected exporters are likely to sell their metal cheaply on world markets.
Roy Rickhuss, leader of Community steelworkers’ union, said: “If the Trump tariffs go ahead, that will still mean millions of tonnes of steel looking for a new market, putting at risk thousands of jobs.
“That’s why the UK Government needs to ensure the EU takes the necessary steps to introduce safeguards for all steel
products affected by US tariffs.”
IT is a relief loose cannon Donald Trump was forced to exempt British and European steel and aluminium from higher US import taxes, but the impetuous President still remains a threat to British jobs.
The impulsive fool is unlikely to learn from his surrender, and our country needs to be prepared to stand up to the foolhardy figure.
Just as with passports, we want a Government that fights for our national interests.