UK Slapped With 25% Steel and Aluminium Tariffs in Starmer ‘Trade Deal’ Breakdown – Guido Fawkes

UK Slapped With 25% Steel and Aluminium Tariffs in Starmer ‘Trade Deal’ Breakdown

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Overnight the US said the UK would face 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium as Trump doubled his rate for other countries to 50%. This is being spun as a win…

To levy a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium is a renegement on the “landmark economic deal” between Starmer and Trump – as part of which bringing those tariffs down to zero was one of the few “wins” for the UK. Downing Street spelled it out itself at the time:

“The UK steel industry – which was on the brink of collapse just weeks ago – will no longer face tariffs thanks to today’s deal. The Prime Minister negotiated the 25% tariff down to zero, meaning UK steelmakers can carry on exporting to the US. “

Presumably the 25% tariff will collapse the UK steel industry. Another line of spin is that the UK will soon achieve the zero level after negotiations to implement that agreement are complete. Hilariously those talks are still ongoing despite the White House scenes with a smug Peter Mandelson being a full month ago…

The White House in fact specifically says it may raise the rate on the UK to 50%:

“the Secretary may adjust the applicable rates of duty and construct import quotas for steel and aluminum consistent with the terms of the Economic Prosperity Deal, or he may increase the applicable rates of duty to 50 percent if he determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with relevant aspects of the EPD.”

Bizsec Jonathan Reynolds spoke to US trade representative Jamieson Greer yesterday and the line is still that “the Government is engaging intensively with the US to implement the Economic Prosperity Deal that we agreed on 8 May at pace, including on steel and aluminium, and will update on progress in due course.” Starmer negotiating strategy – cheered on by credulous hacks – has continuously resulted in embarrassment. How’s ‘Trump-whisperer‘ Mandelson coping with this one…