Badenoch bid to protect embattled British steel
NeW measures making it easier for ministers to protect the embattled steel industry – by overruling independent advice on tariffs – are set to be announced by Kemi Badenoch.
They will allow the Business and Trade Secretary greater discretion when following recommendations by the Trade Remedies Authority ( TRA), the Mail understands.
The body was set up in 2021 as Britain took over responsibilities handled by the eU to combat unfair practices. But its authority was called into question when then international trade secretary Liz Truss rejected some recommendations on steel tariffs amid an outcry
from UK industry about Chinese ‘dumping’ of cheap exports.
The TRA had said protectionist tariffs and quotas on ten types of product should be maintained for three years but removed on nine others. Truss overruled it by prolonging quotas on five of the nine. To do so she had to create regulations to skirt round existing legislation.
A source said the changes to be announced by Badenoch would make it easier for ministers to take such decisions in the public interest.
The source said the TRA would continue to provide expert advice and analysis. Ministers may also take account of ‘geopolitical factors’ affecting trade. The source added: ‘She thinks there are some tweaks that can be made which retain the original aim of the TRA but just give the government slightly more flexibility over how we apply these sorts of remedies.’
Details will form part of the Finance Bill – the government’s Budget legislation.
The changes are expected to be in force by the autumn.