Steel makers 'under attack'

TWO politicians have called for the UK Government to move quickly to introduce measures to support domestic steel production against a flood of imports.

- JAMES ARNOTT & DAVID HUGHES

The Tata Steel works in Port Talbot.

(MATTHEW HORWOOD)

Last week the European Commission disclosed plans to impose 50% tariffs on steel, double the current level of 25%, while cutting tariff-free import volumes to 18.3 million tons a year - a 47% reduction.

The measures are aimed at protecting the EU's steelworkers from competition from cut-price products especially from China being dumped in European markets after Donald Trump's tariffs made the US a less attractive destination.

The proposed new EU regime, which has not yet been adopted, is intended to replace existing safeguards which expire in June next year.

Following that, Tata Steel UK confirmed it would be ceasing production for around five weeks at its key South Wales operations due to what it described as continued low market demand.

The stoppages will start at its pickle line in Llanwern in late November, its tinplate business at Trostre and hot strip mill at Port Talbot in December, and continue into early January.