Trump threatens to keep 25% UK steel tariffs without guarantees on Port Talbot plant

U.S. President Donald Trump is warning that the 25% tariffs on British steel imports may remain unless the UK provides specific assurances about the Indian-owned Tata Steel plant at Port Talbot, amid ongoing trade negotiations following a partial G7 agreement.

Despite a recent trade deal between the U.S. and UK that reduces tariffs on British car exports and aerospace products, steel tariffs remain a contentious issue. Trump has made clear that he may maintain a 25% tariff on UK steel unless the UK government offers guarantees concerning the Port Talbot steelworks in south Wales.

The trade agreement, agreed between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the G7 summit, cuts tariffs on up to 100,000 British cars from 27.5% to 10% and eliminates tariffs on aerospace goods. However, it did not include the removal of steel tariffs.

UK officials continue negotiations on steel and aluminium tariffs, with concerns in Washington about Tata Steel’s import of raw materials, following the closure of blast furnaces at Port Talbot last year. Tata now imports materials mainly from its other sites in the Netherlands and India until it opens a new electric arc furnace in 2027.

U.S. trade rules require steel to be “melted and poured” in the exporting country to qualify for tariff exemptions. While the U.S. is considering granting an exemption for Tata, it is seeking detailed guarantees about the timeline for switching to the new furnace and transparency on the supply chain’s origin and tracking.

Starmer acknowledged ongoing work on steel tariffs but remains optimistic about progress. The UK government is hopeful that Tata’s lack of raw steel imports from China will aid in persuading the US to include all British steel exports in the deal.

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