UK Shelves Steel Tariff-Free Quota Plan for US, Shifts to Negotiating "Permanent 25% Tariff"

BlockBeats News, September 16, according to the Financial Times, UK Prime Minister Starmer has shelved the idea of "granting UK steel exports a certain quota of zero tariffs to the United States," and instead prefers to negotiate with Trump to secure a "permanent" 25% tariff treatment for all UK steel export products.

Allies of Starmer revealed that if UK steel exports can obtain a fixed 25% tariff commitment, it will provide "certainty" for the industry and give it a competitive advantage—since this rate is only half of the 50% tariff paid by other countries.

UK government officials stated that, at present, there is no "formal agreement" to make the 25% preferential tariff for UK steel a "permanent treatment," but it is expected to be announced during Trump's three-day state visit to the UK starting on Tuesday.