UK Trade Minister to hold talks with U.S., EU, and India amid steel tariff dispute

Britain’s Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds is set for a pivotal week of negotiations with U.S., EU, and Indian officials as fresh U.S. steel tariffs complicate the implementation of recent trade agreements.

This week, UK Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds embarks on a series of high-profile meetings in Paris and Brussels to address the challenges surrounding recently announced U.S. steel tariffs and to advance key trade agreements with Britain’s major partners.

On Tuesday, Reynolds will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss the practicalities of a trade deal agreed last month between the UK and the U.S. Although the deal aimed to lower tariffs on British steel and cars, the implementation has faced delays, and recent announcements suggest U.S. steel tariffs could rise sharply from 25% to 50%, threatening British producers.

Industry experts warn that the tariff increase would severely impact UK steel manufacturers, calling it a “body blow” to the sector. The British government is actively engaging with U.S. counterparts to assess the impact and push for clarity on the timeline for rolling out the bilateral agreement.

Beyond the U.S., Reynolds is scheduled to meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss the ongoing finalisation of a Free Trade Agreement between the two nations. While the legal texts are near completion, the agreement still requires ratification, which could take several months.

Reynolds’ itinerary also includes talks with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, continuing efforts to ease trade frictions without reopening Brexit arrangements. The UK recently announced the suspension of border checks on EU fruit and vegetable imports, a move designed to smooth food trade ahead of the planned removal of red tape between the UK and EU.

Reynolds emphasized the importance of evolving trade relationships with the UK’s largest partners, stating, “We recognize our relationship with G7 allies and EU counterparts must continue to evolve and deliver a better trading environment for our businesses and exporters.”

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