LONDON — The British government expressed dissatisfaction over the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs on international steel and aluminum imports, labeling the decision as “disappointing”. Yet, the U.K. has chosen not to implement immediate retaliatory measures.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds conveyed the U.K.’s stance, stating there was no elimination of possibilities for future tariffs on U.S. imports. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue with the U.S. to advocate for U.K. business interests. “We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest,” Reynolds mentioned.
Similarly, Treasury Minister James Murray reinforced this sentiment, asserting on Times Radio that Britain retains its right to impose retaliatory measures if necessary.
In contrast to Britain, the European Union chose a different course of action. The EU declared that it would implement tariffs on a variety of American products, including steel, aluminum, bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans, as a countermeasure to the U.S. tariffs.
Center-left U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has consistently worked to fortify strong diplomatic relations with President Donald Trump, endeavoring to prevent the application of tariffs similar to those faced by numerous other U.S. trade allies.
Following a recent meeting at the White House, Trump and Starmer committed to cooperating towards finalizing a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement, a goal that has proved elusive over the years. Reynolds highlighted the government’s commitment to a pragmatic approach, striving to negotiate a broader economic agreement with the U.S. that aims to remove additional tariffs and support the economic interests of U.K. businesses.
The newly imposed tariffs present another challenge for the U.K.’s steel sector, a shadow of its former self from the 1970s and now contributing merely 0.1% to the national economy. India’s Tata Steel plans to streamline and modernize its operations at the country’s largest steel facility in Port Talbot, Wales, a move that is expected to result in the loss of thousands of jobs.
According to UK Steel, Britain exported approximately 180,000 metric tons of steel to the U.S. in 2024. This accounted for around 7% of the country’s total steel export volume and 9% by value. The aluminum industry also reported significant dependencies on the U.S. market, which comprises 10% of the U.K.’s exports.
