Keir Starmer admitted today that he is 'disappointed', Donald Trump ignored his supplications to save Great Britain of brutal rates on steel.
Taking PMQs in the commons, Sir Keir made it clear his accident that the US had Pushed ahead to De Deken 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum import.
The prime minister said he would follow a 'pragmatic' approach upon retribution – after the EU returned immediately.
He emphasized that the UK tries to “negotiate an economic deal that covers and will include rates if we succeed,” but added: “We will keep all the options on the table.”
Sir Keir was asked by Lib Dem leader Ed Davey if he would follow the example of Canada and Brussels and would be 'robust' with Mr. Trump.
The reprisals of Canada on rates led an extraordinary spit last night where Mr Trump briefly doubled the charges to 50 percent – before both parties withdrew.
Ministers denied this morning that the British reaction was 'weak' because the steel industry warned of a huge hit that came in the 'worst possible time'.
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasized that he is trying to conclude a wider trade agreement with the US -something that Mr. Trump last month during Sir Keir's White House -Love in the White House -in -in -Loop.
Sir Keir made a final attempt to deduce the measures with Mr Trump on Monday evening in a phone call with Mr. Trump. The British industries were then told to brace themselves for the impact of the rates, which came into force at 4 o'clock.
Trade Association UK Steel Brand The US Move 'enormously disappointing'.
Keir Starmer took PMQs in the commons and made it clear his accident that the US had pushed the blanket 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum imports
Donald Trump has implemented the 25 percent levy on steel and aluminum import, despite desperate supplications for an exemption
Keir Starmer opposes pressure to take revenge after he failed in his attempt to convince Mr. Trump to save Great Britain (shown together in the White House)
The prime minister has stopped with Tit -For -Tat rates -which were immediately imposed by the EU (depicted, President Ursula von der Leyen) -with allies who say he will hold a 'cool head'
Director -General Gareth Stace said: “President Trump must certainly acknowledge that the UK is an ally, not an enemy. Our steel sector is not a threat to the US, but a partner for important customers who share the same values ​​and objectives in tackling global overcapacity and tackling unfair trade.
'These rates could not come to a worse moment for the British steel industry, because we fight with high energy costs and modest demand at home, against an oversupply and more and more protectionist worldwide landscape. What is more is also pushes the EU with trade -restricted action that will strengthen the impact of American rates. '
Mr Stace added: “It is essential that the British government is not only efforts to negotiate with the US, but also takes decisive action to strengthen our trade defense.”
Groot -Britain exported 166,433 tons of steel to the US in 2023, the last full year for which figures are available.
Statistics from Trade Body UK Steel showed that around 162,716 tons were sent to the US in 2024, but that does not include any data from December.
The US is the second largest industry export market after the EU, although the government said that it was only 5 percent of British steel output in 2023.
Touring Broadcast Studios This morning Minister of Finance James Murray was put under pressure or the UK showed weakness.
He said Sky News: 'Well, we are in a completely different position than the EU as a result of the prime minister's trip to Washington last month.
'The UK and the US have negotiated quickly for an economic agreement, and so we are in a position where that negotiation is underway and these global rates, if you want, landed in the middle of that work. So we don't want to be pushed out of the course.
“We want to continue with our rapid negotiation on an economic agreement, because we think that is in the best interest of British companies and the British public.”
Mr. Murray said that the UK should avoid a 'knee-jerk reaction'.
“We think the right response is to continue pragmatic, cool-headly, without a knee shock reaction, but in our economic agreement that we negotiate with the US to secure because that is in the best interest in the UK.”
In a statement at night, Mr Reynolds insisted that 'all options' were on the table to respond to the national interest.
“It is disappointing that the US today has imposed global rates on steel and aluminum,” he said.
'We are focused on a pragmatic approach and negotiate quickly about a broader economic agreement with the US to eliminate extra rates and to benefit British companies and our economy.
British industries have warned of the impact of the rates, which came into force at 4 o'clock (file image of the Tata factory in Port Talbot, which is converted into an eco -oven)
'In the meantime, we remain determined in our support for the British industry. Nowadays this government works together with affected companies and I am on the application of the industry at the trade remedial authority to investigate which further steps may be needed to protect British producers. '
'I will continue to take close and productive with the US to press the case for British business interests. We will keep all options on the table and will not hesitate to respond to the national interest, “he added.
Brussels said that countermeasures for the rates, which would take around 26 billion euros (about £ 22 billion) of the EU exports, will be introduced in April to defend European interests. ”
During Sir Keir's visit to the US, Mr. Trump Hints dropped that the UK would be saved from the worst of his rates, and said that the Prime Minister had worked hard to convince him during lunch.
The president also said that he hoped for a 'very good' transatlantic trade agreement to prevent the need for taxes.
He put alarm bells on ringing by stating that he considered VAT that caused an imbalance on the trade, causing 'mutual' rates to compensate for the indictment. VAT is even a sales tax.
The government estimates about 5% of British steel exports and 6% of aluminum export per volume goes to the US (depicted: Tata Steel Plant in Port Talbot, South Wales)
The organ of the aluminum industry had previously warned that the imminent import tax already had an effect.
Nadine Bloxsome, Chief Executive of the aluminum federation, said: 'The British aluminum sector already sees the first effects of these rates.
'The sharp rise in American premiums has created new stimuli for exporting scrap, which increases the risk of considerable domestic scrap leakage. This not only weakens the recycling capacity of the UK, but the risks to undermine our sustainability objectives and goals for circular economy.
“Moreover, the uncertainty about potential trading deviation explains considerable pressure on British producers, especially because half -finished goods can flood the British market at lower costs.”
William Bain, head of trade policy for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said that the decision both countries 'in a new era of uncertainty' dived.
But he warned of a series of 'Tit-for-Tat' rates that 'could easily go through in a total trade war'.
'We have to keep conversations alive and retaliation rates may only be used as a means of the last resort. If the conversations succeed, it would be a win-win, which results in a welcome stability and pro-growth economic conditions for both parties. '
