Steelworkers union Unite hit out after Donald Trump signed off a 25 per cent tariff on foreign steel imported to the U.S.
Britain’s largest union said the levy was ‘misguided’ and would further hasten the decline of an industry already hit hard by cheap Chinese imports.
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Unite spokesman Tony Brady called on Prime Minister Theresa May to act, saying: ‘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.’
He spoke minutes after Trump signed Section 232 Proclamations on Steel and Aluminium Imports, which will also impose a 10 per cent tariff on foreign aluminium.
Trump said he imposed the tariffs to try and rejuvenate the U.S.’s ailing metal industries.
He also cited security concerns, saying using domestic steel and aluminium could help guarantee American defense products were of the highest quality.
But the president did offer a glimmer of hope for Britain too.
He said exemptions may be made available to America’s military allies who pay their way – including Britain.
The president explained that he ‘would allow any country with which we have a security relationship to discuss with the United States and the president alternate ways.’
Mexico and Canada have also been exempted from the new levy, which is set to begin in 15 days.
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METRO
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