News that the United States has imposed global tariffs on steel and aluminium has been met with general dismay, but the UK and the European Union have made significantly different responses to US President Donald Trump’s latest announcement.
For the UK, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds promised a pragmatic approach as the Government focuses on rapidly negotiating a wider economic agreement with the US to eliminate additional tariffs.
He said that he was working with affected companies and supported industry’s application to the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) to investigate what further steps might be necessary to protect UK producers.
“I will continue to engage closely and productively with the US to press the case for UK business interests,” Mr Reynolds concluded. “We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest.”
As for the EU, it immediately launched what it described as swift and proportionate countermeasures in response to the new US tariffs affecting more than €18 billion of exports from the Union.
Pointing out that the EU and the US have the largest trade relationship in the world, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The European Union must act to protect consumers and business. The countermeasures we take today are strong but proportionate. As the US is applying tariffs worth $28 billion, we are responding with countermeasures worth €26 billion.”
She pointed out that the measures will begin on 1 April and be fully in place from 13 April but, in the meantime, the EU remains ready to work with the US administration to find a negotiated solution.
