Donald Trump‘s doubling of steel and aluminium tariffs to 50 per cent would be a ‘body blow’ for British industry, say senior industry officials.
The US President met with workers at a steel plant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday night and said he would be doubling tariffs on imports from 25 per cent to ‘further secure’ the industry.
He later confirmed the plans on his media platform Truth Social and announced that it would take effect on Wednesday, June 4.
Mr Trump wrote: ‘It is my great honor to raise the Tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before.
‘This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! We don’t want America’s future to be built with shoddy steel from Shanghai — we want it built with the strength and the pride of Pittsburgh!’
Despite Britain clinching a trade deal with the US earlier this month – which would see tariffs on UK steel imports reduced to zero – this has not been formally signed yet.
Director General of UK Steel, Gareth Stace, told The Times the move would be a ‘body blow’ for the industry and could see orders being delayed or cancelled.
A government spokesman said: ‘We are engaging with the US on the implications of the latest tariff announcement and to provide clarity for the industry. 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.’
President Donald Trump (above) met with workers at a steel plant in Pittsburgh on Friday night and said he would be doubling tariffs on imports from 25 per cent to ‘further secure’ the industry
Pictured: A stock image of a steelworker using a lance on a blast furnace at at Port Talbot Steelworks in South Wales
Director General of UK Steel Gareth Stace (above) warned the move would be a ‘body blow’ for the industry and could see orders being delayed or cancelled.
During Mr Trump’s announcements he also said he was backing a ‘planned partnership’ between Pittsburgh-based US. Steel and Japan’s Nippon.
Despite this being well received at the rally, the United Steelworkers union and prominent Pennsylvania Democrats are said to be skeptical over the move.
During Trump’s remarks he also vowed to turn America’s Rust Belt into a ‘Golden Belt’ – covered by his proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system.
He said: ‘We won’t be able to call this section a Rust Belt anymore. It’ll be a “Golden Belt”…It’ll be part of a Golden Dome we’re building to save everybody’s lives.’
To further endear himself to the crowd, Trump also brought a trio of former and current members of NFL team Pittsburgh Steelers who christened Trump a ‘Steeler’ for the day, giving him a ‘Trump 47’ jersey onstage.
The President kicked off his appearance by boasting about his 2024 electoral win in Pennsylvania, saying: ‘You voted for me, they never had a chance in Pennsylvania.’
He then brought former Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier onstage with current players, second-string quarterback Mason Rudolph and safety Miles Killebrew.
Mr Trump brought former Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier (left) onstage with current players, second-string quarterback Mason Rudolph and safety Miles Killebrew
‘I’m a fan of your Steelers and I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph.
‘And I think he’s going to get a big shot, he’s tall, he’s handsome, got a great arm and I have a feeling he’s going to be the guy,’ Trump said.
The President had initially imposed a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports in March before he proclaimed a ‘Liberation Day’ last month which saw him put a 10 per cent tariff on all imports.
Mr Trump’s steel tariffs were not affected by this week’s US Court of International Trade ruling, which temporarily blocked his ‘reciprocal tariffs’ which were brought in using emergency legislation. That ruling has since been put on hold.
