LONDON — The United Kingdom is actively seeking more details from Washington following U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected announcement of significant tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. During a press briefing on Air Force One late Sunday, Trump declared, “Any steel coming into the United States is going to have a 25 percent tariff — aluminum too.”
While Trump did not indicate when these tariffs would take effect, he stated that they would apply to all countries. This announcement has left U.K. officials, who have been attempting to strengthen ties with the new administration, scrambling for clarity.
U.K. officials respond to tariff threat
In addition to the tariffs on steel and aluminum, Trump mentioned that he would implement reciprocal tariffs on trading partners that would reflect the duties imposed by other countries in the coming days. This contradicts his earlier suggestion that the U.K. might be exempt from his trade initiatives, which have primarily focused on China, Canada, and Mexico.
“We’ve got a strong and balanced trade relationship with the U.S.,” a senior British government aide stated, indicating the administration’s commitment to clarifying the measures and closely collaborating with affected industries.
Meanwhile, a separate U.K. official informed that British diplomats were promptly engaging with the U.S. administration concerning the steel and aluminum tariffs. Both officials requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters freely. This sentiment was reiterated by Home Office Minister Angela Eagle, who emphasized the importance of the robust trade connection between the two nations, which amounts to approximately £300 billion.
Eagle expressed her thoughts on Sky News, stating, “We have a very balanced trading relationship with the U.S., and I think it’s in the best interests of both of us, as long-standing allies and neighbors, that we carry on with that balanced trade. We will have to wait and see whether the president gets more specific about what he meant by that comment on the way to the Super Bowl.”
Potential ramifications for U.K. steel industry
Approximately 10 percent of the U.K.’s total steel exports were directed to the U.S. in 2024, and the timing of these tariffs could not be more detrimental for a U.K. steel industry already struggling with long-term challenges. Moreover, these tariffs may only represent the beginning of broader import restrictions, which could lead to significant global economic upheaval.
A decision regarding reciprocal tariffs is anticipated to be announced on Tuesday or Wednesday, marking a substantial departure from Trump’s earlier threats of imposing widespread tariffs on all global imports. This situation has prompted U.K. leaders, including Sir Keir Starmer and his cabinet, to consider possible retaliatory measures against these tariffs. Such actions could thrust the U.K. into a trade conflict with the U.S., impacting various sectors of the economy.
Allie Renison, a former U.K. business and trade policy adviser from SEC Newgate, warned that retaliating could place the U.K. “even more in the firing line” of further measures from Trump. She noted, “The prospect of reciprocal universal tariffs that he has recently floated could do much greater overall damage to the British economy.”