Experts say EU tariff plan is 'existential threat' to UK steel industry

The EU has announced it will match Donald Trump's steel tariffs, doubling levies on imports to 50% in a move condemned as "an existential threat" to the industry in the UK.

- Lisa O'Carroll Jessica Elgot

With 80% of British exports going to the EU, the change threatens to be the UK steel industry's biggest ever crisis, according to the lobby group representing the sector, while unions said it could kill off the industry.

Keir Starmer said ministers and officials were in discussions with the EU about the potential tariffs.

"I think our position in relation to our steel industry is one of strong support as you saw from Scunthorpe and Port Talbot," he told reporters on a flight to India. "In relation to the question of tariffs or other measures, as you'd expect, we are in discussions with the EU about this, as we're in discussions with the US about it."

He declined to detail what ministers were asking from Brussels.

The industry minister, Chris McDonald, said it was vital to “protect trade flows between the UK and EU” and that he would meet industry leaders tomorrow. He added that he was “pushing the European Commission for urgent clarification of the impact of this move on the UK”.