UK Steel director general Gareth Stace said: "President Trump has taken a sledgehammer to free trade, with huge ramifications for the steel sector in the UK and across the world.
Mr Alexander said industry minister Sarah Jones is meeting steel industry representatives and unions today, while Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set for crunch talks within 24 hours.
In an exchange in the Commons, Labour MP Liam Byrne - who chairs the Business and Trade Committee - said: "What's essential is this doesn't escalate, because widespread duties on UK exports to the US would be devastating for economic growth.".
Asked if the UK is prepared to enact retaliatory tariffs, the spokesman said he was not going to "get ahead" of conversations with the steel industry.
Asked if the US President's tariffs were wrong, Mr Starmer's official spokesman said: "We will take a considered approach to this.
