UK’s International Trade Secretary Ms Anne-Marie Trevelyan has updated the House of Commons on the government's final decision regarding the UK's steel safeguard. She told “The TRA has completed additional analysis for my consideration. I have now considered their Report of Findings and concluded that there would be serious injury or the threat of serious injury to UK steel producers if the safeguard on the five additional categories of steel were to be removed at this time. Given the broader national interest significance of this strategic UK industry, and the global disruptions to the energy markets and supply chains that the UK currently faces, we have concluded it is in the economic interest of the UK to maintain these safeguards, to reduce the risk of material harm if they were not maintained. I am therefore extending the measure on the five steel categories for a further two years, until 30 June 2024, alongside the other ten categories. This means the safeguard will remain in place on all 15 categories, updated from 1 July to reflect recent trade flows.”

She added “The measures I am announcing will further support our steel industry and those who work in it. This comes on the back of this government securing an expansive removal of Section 232 tariffs on imports of UK steel and aluminium products into the USA, which came into effect earlier this month. The tariff-free volumes we have secured mean that UK steel and aluminium exports to the US can return to levels not seen since before 2018. It is important to remember that safeguards are a temporary, short-term measure. We will continue to work with international partners alongside other government departments to support our domestic steel sector for the long-term. I hope that the House will support this Government’s stance in defending our strategically important steel sector, and I commend this statement to the House.”

Conservative backbencher Scunthorpe MP Mrs Holly Mumby-Croft said: “I’m absolutely delighted that, once again, the government has stepped up and taken this important decision to protect our local steelworks. The safeguard issue is one that Andrew Percy (Con, Brigg and Goole) and I have been campaigning heavily on to make sure we get the right outcome for our steelworks, so to see this hard work pay off has been amazing. Today is a good day for Scunthorpe and I’m chuffed to bits.”

A British Steel spokesperson said: “This is excellent news for all UK steelmakers, our thousands of employees and the many supply-chain companies we work with. We’re extremely grateful for the intervention of the UK Government on this vital matter and for the support we’ve been given during the process, particularly from Scunthorpe MP Mrs Holly Mumby-Croft.”

For steelworkers union Community, the safeguards are welcome, but more needs to be done on energy and support for greening up the sector. Community Operations Director Mr Alasadair McDiarmid said “The decision to extend the steel safeguards is hugely welcome and extremely important. Government made the right call because giving up our safeguards, when the EU and US are maintaining theirs, would leave us exposed to import surges threatening thousands of jobs.”

However, Flint Global’s trade expert Mr Sam Lowe told the BBC that the UK will likely face legal challenges from affected countries. He said “I think it’s quite probable the UK is in breach of its international obligations. There is a large swathe of evidence produced by the government’s own body saying it’s not justifiable in the UK context. Probably another country will look at that and say ‘well let’s think about bringing a challenge. We’ll only find out if the UK is compliant with its obligations or not following a challenge and the result of any dispute.”

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Strategic Research Institute

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