Theresa May tells Donald Trump of her ‘deep concern’ over his EU steel tariff plan

Theresa May has told Donald Trump of her “deep concern” over his plans to introduce tariffs on US steel and aluminium imports.

Trump revealed last week he wants to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all steel imports in a move that could have a “devastating” impact on the UK industry.

A Downing Street spokesperson said on Sunday;

“The Prime Minister raised our deep concern at the President’s forthcoming announcement on steel and aluminium tariffs, noting that multilateral action was the only way to resolve the problem of global overcapacity in all parties’ interests.”

The US President said he planned to make the announcement this week despite intense lobbying from British cabinet ministers and officials.

Trump said last Thursday the tariff would be put in place “for a long period of time” but did not go into specifics.

The hike in steel tariffs could be ‘devastating’ for the UK steel industry and manufacturing, Britain’s largest union, Unite warned.

Unite is in discussions with the American steelworker’s union USW and called on government minsters to secure assurances from President Trump that UK steelworkers and manufacturing communities won’t be caught up in a global tariff war between the US and countries, such as China.

Donald Trump has set out plans for steel imports to face a 25 per cent tariff and aluminium of 10 per cent.

Unite national officer for steel Tony Brady said: “US tariffs on UK steel would be devastating for the British steel industry and the thousands of workers who have battled for its survival, alongside their trade unions.

“Any tariffs imposed on UK steel by President Trump on a scale that is being mooted would be misguided and deprive US manufacturers of some of the most specialist steel in the world.

“The dumping of cheap Chinese steel into the UK took our world class British steel industry to the precipice because of the British government’s inaction.

“Government ministers and Theresa May must back Britain’s steelworkers and manufacturing communities by securing assurances from President Trump that they will not be caught up in a global tariff war between the US and countries such as China.”

Neil Hamilton, Leader of UKIP Wales

“Wales sells almost no steel to the US. It would be utter madness for us to become embroiled in a trade war between the US and the EU.  Outside the EU, we can pursue an international trade policy which suits our interests, not those of Brussels.”