UK steel makers are urging the Government to lobby the USA not to cut them out of the US market, if President Trump decides to introduce protectionist measures.

UK Steel has written to Liam Fox, the Secretary for International Trade, asking him to contact his opposite number in
the USA to argue the case. In April, President Trump launched a Section 232 investigation into imports of steel.

Saying he would “fight for American workers and American-made steel”, he instructed Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to start the investigation on the grounds of protecting national security.

The Section 232 investigation could result in huge tariffs being placed on imports of foreign steel to protect the US domestic industry, analysts believe.

The USA is one of the leading markets for British steel companies, accounting for 250,000 of the 7.6 million tonnes produced in the UK every year. UK steel exports to the USA are worth £340 million each year.