The UK appears to have been spared from the immediate hit of Donald Trump’s 50% steel and aluminium tariffs after the US president said he decided to “provide different treatment” to Britain.
Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to double the levies from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, as part of his wider attempt to shift America’s trading relationship with the world.
A spokesperson for the British government said: “We’re pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs.”
The UK struck a deal with the US last month to avoid the increase, but uncertainty about the timeframe for its implementation led to fears that the tariffs would still go up.
According to a version of the executive order posted on X, the President has “further determined that it is necessary and appropriate to allow for the implementation of the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal of May 8, 2025 (EPD), and to accordingly provide different treatment, as described below, for imports of steel and aluminum articles, and their derivatives, from the United Kingdom”.
For now, the levies will remain at 25 per cent for imports from the UK, however, Britain could still be subject to the higher 50 per cent rate from July, the document added.
The order adds: “On or after July 9, 2025, the Secretary may adjust the applicable rates of duty and construct import quotas for steel and aluminum consistent with the terms of the EPD, or he may increase the applicable rates of duty to 50 percent if he determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with relevant aspects of the EPD”.
The 50% tariff rate more widely is due to come into force from 12.01am Washington DC time on Wednesday, which is shortly after 5am in the UK.
A Government spokesperson said: “The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the US earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change.
“We’re pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs.
“We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the 25% US tariffs on steel removed.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s trade deal with the US, struck last month, included relief on the steel and aluminium tariffs, but the implementation has not yet been finalised.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met White House trade representative Jamieson Greer in Paris on Tuesday.
According to the Department for Business and Trade, Mr Reynolds and Mr Greer discussed a desire to implement the deal struck between London and Washington as soon as possible, and committed to working closely to make it happen.
The general terms for the agreement between the UK and US were published in May when the deal was announced, and outline the intended plans.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if there was a text of the full deal ready to be released, and told reporters on Tuesday: “There ‘s most definitely text with this deal, there is language that this side has seen.
“You’ll have to ask the UK Parliament why they haven’t seen it from their own Government, I obviously can’t answer that question.”
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