UK steel makers brand Donald Trump import tariffs a 'sledgehammer' to economy British steel makers have blasted US President Donald Trump’s “sledgehammer” import tariffs, warning the UK will be among the countries facing the biggest shock.
Trade body UK Steel said exports to the States now face a 25% import tax after President Trump ordered a new levy on all steel and aluminium entering the US.
Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, said: “President Trump has taken a sledgehammer to free trade with huge ramifications for the steel sector in the UK and across the world.
This will not only hinder UK exports to the US, but it will also have hugely distortive effects on international trade flows, adding further import pressure to our own market.” UK steel poses no threat to US national security.
And it claimed the new tariffs “primarily target US allies”, such as the UK, as most other countries were already subject to 25% steel tariffs.
