
‘Discussions continue' over US steel tariffs deal ahead of deadline, says No 10
The UK has already managed to negotiate a deal with the US which eliminates the threat of tariffs to British car and aeroplane manufacturers.
But a reprieve for the steel industry is yet to be finalised, leaving open the threat that the current 25% tariff rate could rise to 50% after the July 9 deadline.
Mr Trump is reportedly stepping up pressure on countries who could soon be subject to the tariffs, urging them to negotiate trade deals with the US.
But amid signs of confusion within the US administration, trade secretary Howard Lutnick has suggested America's trade partners will see the levies begin on August 9, after receiving a letter outlining them on July 9.
Asked if the Government was confident a deal would be reached on UK steel, a No 10 spokesman said: 'Our work with the US continues to get this deal implemented as soon as possible.
'That will remove the 25% tariff on UK steel and aluminium, making us the only country in the world to have tariffs removed on these products.
'The US agreed to remove tariffs on these products as part of our agreement on May 8. It reiterated that again at the G7 last month. The discussions continue, and will continue to do so.'
Pressed again whether ministers were confident British producers would not be hit by the 50% tariff, the Downing Street spokesman said: 'As I say, discussions continue.
'We have very close engagement with the US, and the US has been clear that it wants to keep talking to us to get the best deal for businesses and consumers on both sides.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Glasgow Times
22 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
King tells of ‘profound sadness' in letter to Trump after Texas floods
Charles 'offered his deepest sympathy' to those who lost loved ones over the July Fourth weekend, the British Embassy in Washington said. 'Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life,' the embassy said. Following the devastating flooding in Texas, His Majesty King Charles has written to President Trump to express his profound sadness at the tragic loss of life. He offered his deepest sympathy to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to courage and selflessness… — British Embassy Washington (@UKinUSA) July 7, 2025 'He offered his deepest sympathy to all families who have lost loved ones and paid tribute to courage and selflessness of the emergency service and volunteers.' Operators of Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp in the Texas Hill Country, said they lost 27 campers and counsellors, confirming their worst fears after a wall of water slammed into cabins built along the edge of the Guadalupe River. With additional rain on the way, more flooding remains a threat in saturated parts of the US state. Authorities said the death toll was sure to rise as crews looked for many people who were missing.

Western Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Trump announces 25% tariffs on Japan and South Korea
The tariffs are set to go into effect on August 1. Mr Trump provided notice by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of the various countries. US President Donald Trump waves to the media after exiting Air Force One (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) The letters warned them to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs. 'If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge,' Mr Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The letters were not the final word from Mr Trump on tariffs, so much as another episode in a global economic drama in which he has placed himself at the centre. His moves have raised fears that economic growth would slow to a trickle, if not make the US and other nations more vulnerable to a recession. But Mr Trump is confident that tariffs are necessary to bring back domestic manufacturing and fund the tax cuts he signed into law last Friday. He mixed his sense of aggression with a willingness to still negotiate, signalling the likelihood that the drama and uncertainty would continue and that few things are ever final with Mr Trump. Imports from Myanmar and Laos would be taxed at 40%, South Africa at 30% and Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Tunisia at 25%. Shoppers browse electric rice cookers imported from Japan and South Korea at a US department store (Nam Y Huh/AP) Mr Trump placed the word 'only' before revealing the rate in his letters to the foreign leaders, implying that he was being generous with his tariffs. Mr Trump still has outstanding differences on trade with the European Union and India, among other trading partners. Tougher talks with China are on a longer time horizon in which imports from that nation are being taxed at 55%.


Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Elon Musk blasts FBI after axing Epstein probe — raging ‘It's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again'
DONALD Trump's ex-pal Elon Musk lashed out yesterday after a leaked memo said the FBI was ready to end its Jeffrey Epstein probe — with the Tesla tycoon declaring: 'It's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again.' The document showed federal investigators and the US Justice Department found no evidence the paedophile financier had a client list or blackmailed powerful figures. 6 Elon Musk made his claims about Donald Trump being in the Epstein files when they fell out after the Tesla boss left government Credit: Getty 6 Talking about the FBI preparing to axe its Epstein probe, Musk blasted 'It's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again' Credit: AP 6 Mr Trump had said he was 'not a fan of Epstein' and had not spoken to him in years Credit: AP And CCTV footage taken outside his cell — finally released six years after his death — proved he was not murdered, officials claimed. Many within the US President's Make America Great Again movement — including FBI chief Kash Patel and his deputy Dan Bongino — repeatedly called for all Epstein files to be publicly released and other abusers to be brought to justice. Critics accused the US government of a new cover-up, weeks after Musk claimed the President was 'in the Epstein files'. Billionaire Musk led the attacks yesterday, posting on X: 'What's the time? Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again...', above a meme of 'The Official Jeffrey Epstein paedophile arrest counter' — which was at zero. He added: 'Man, this is heavy', and referring to Epstein's British socialite madam, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, said: 'What is Ghislaine Maxwell in prison for? Stuff like this does not improve people's faith in government.' Maxwell was pictured with Prince Andrew and his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre. One of the main claims by conspiracy theorists was that Epstein was murdered in 2019 to hush him up and protect senior figures. In the run-up to yesterday's revelations, US government officials suggested shocking revelations. When asked if Epstein's client list would be released, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in February: 'It's sitting on my desk right now to review.' She had also said the FBI was reviewing 'tens of thousands of videos' of Epstein 'with children or child porn'. I came face-to-face with Epstein - paedo would flip to dark side like a switch... I'm convinced he DIDN'T kill himself Trump supporter Alina Habba, the acting US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, had said: 'It is incredibly disturbing. We have flight logs, we have information, names that will come out. 'I don't see how it's not shocking there were so many individuals that were hidden and kept secret and not been held accountable.' Epstein watchers keenly anticipated a string of powerful people being outed as clients, with up to 1,000 FBI agents on the case. But there was anger when a two-page DoJ/FBI memo revealed investigators had found no evidence of a cover-up. 6 Prince Andrew with his sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, centre, and Ghislaine Maxwell - who is currently in prison for her part in the Epstein scandal Credit: AFP 6 It's claimed new CCTV of Epstein in jail, circled, proves the convicted paedophile was not murdered in his cell It was published by US news website Axios and picked up by ABC News. The US government made no official comment. The memo said there was 'no incriminating 'client list'', 'no credible evidence Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals,' and 'no evidence could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties'. The memo said Epstein harmed 'over one thousand victims' and 'each suffered unique trauma'. It said 'sensitive information relating to these victims is intertwined throughout materials' it reviewed, but warned: 'Much of the material is subject to court-ordered sealing. 'Only a fraction would have been aired publicly had Epstein gone to trial, as the seal served only to protect victims and did not expose any additional third-parties to allegations of wrongdoing.' Investigators checked the original film from cameras near Epstein's cell, as well as an enhanced version from 10.40pm the night before he died to around 6.30am, when he was found. No one else enters that area of the prison, officials said. The memo states: 'After a thorough investigation, FBI investigators concluded Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in his cell.' Protest group Republicans Against Trump said: 'Hey Donald, if you've got nothing to hide, release all the Epstein files just like you promised. What are you afraid of?' Mr Musk made his claims about Trump being in the Epstein files when they fell out after the Tesla boss left government. The world's richest man later said he 'went too far' — but posted repeatedly about the case yesterday. The President earlier hit back at the claims saying: 'That's called 'old news.' Even Epstein's lawyer said I had nothing to do with it.' Trump and Epstein attended the same parties in the 1990s and in 2017 Epstein claimed he was 'Donald Trump's closest friend'. Trump had said he was 'not a fan of Epstein' and had not spoken to him in years.