Starmer under fire over American tariffs on UK steel as industry still faces a 25% levy
Steel exported from the UK to the US still faces a tariff of 25 per cent despite an agreement in early May to cut it to zero alongside the levy on cars and aerospace.
Most other British goods entering the US face a 10 per cent levy – which thanks to Brexit is lower than the 15 per cent Donald Trump agreed with the EU.
Sir Keir Starmer is understood to have pressed the President to finally reduce tariffs on British steel to zero as agreed during talks in Scotland yesterday.
That would give the UK a welcome competitive advantage given steel imported by America from much of the rest of the world faces a 50 per cent tariff.
But the White House remains concerned about how the deal would work. Industry bosses warned the delay is costing jobs.
'There has been nearly three months of uncertainty for business, of whether we should export our steel or delay a little bit,' said UK Steel director general Gareth Stace.
'The President and Prime Minister must settle the zero-tariff deal once and for all.
'UK steelmakers are losing contracts with their most critical clients in the US, and every passing day without a deal puts more jobs at risk.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Plans approved for upgrades to Warwickshire Police HQ site
Warwickshire Police has been given planning permission for 260 extra parking spaces at its force's plans also included additional lighting, security and connecting paths at the site off Woodcote Lane in Leek will also be a new one-way road system installed, which attracted objections from locals who said it could affect the junction of The Anchor District Council officers said it was "not a great junction" but added there would be no greater impact than at present because traffic volumes would not increase. "From the perspective of highways colleagues, the level of traffic using the site will remain unchanged in their opinion, and there would be no further impacts on the Anchor junction as a result of this development," an officer chief constable Ben Smith said the proposal would help ensure officers deployed from the site could do so effectively and councillor Josh Payne noted previously-approved plans for housing on neighbouring land, sold by Warwickshire Police when the force had expected to leave its current also highlighted plans for a nature reserve nearby and the prospect of housing plans on the Kenilworth School site among his on the planning committee heard there were 41 objections from locals and the parish committee approved the plans with instructions that building work must not conflict with work by Cala Homes on the neighbouring site. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Reuters
11 minutes ago
- Reuters
OPEC+ agrees in principle to raise oil output by 548,000 bpd in Sept, sources say
LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) - OPEC+ has agreed in principle to boost oil output by 548,000 barrels per day in September, two OPEC+ sources familiar with the discussions said.
The Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Sun
One of UK's biggest mobile networks is shutting service TOMORROW leaving some Brits with NO internet
Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor Published: Invalid Date, A MAJOR network provider with millions of customers continues a massive service switch off in just hours. Those affected won't be able to use the internet when they're out and about unless they upgrade their phone. 1 O2 has been pressing on with plans to shut down its old 3G network technology. The other main networks - EE, Vodafone and Three - have already got rid of theirs, as part of a joint agreement made with the Government in 2021. O2's 3G switch off has already gone ahead in Durham, Norwich, Telford and Guildford. But now Torquay is the next spot to lose 3G. The move not only affects O2, but also other firms that run off its masts, including Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile. For most customers it won't make any difference - if anything it'll make space for more faster 4G and 5G kit. But some older smartphones may not be 4G or 5G compatible. While they'll still be able to make calls and send texts, they no longer get access to data. Virgin Media O2's 3G network carries less than 2 per cent of all network data now. The operator is already writing directly to all customers currently without a 4G or 5G handset, offering free compatible devices for known vulnerable customers and discounts on new handsets for all others. O2 Ends Pay-As-You-Go Data and iPad SIM Services: What You Need to Know Bosses have also announced that they're working with charity Age UK to help raise awareness and support. "The 3G switch-off may feel daunting for many older people so it's important that we do all we can to support those affected," said Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK. 'We're very grateful for this funding from Virgin Media O2 as this will enhance our services, including our Advice Line, so that older customers can get the help needed when 3G is switched off. 'It's important to note that for those using a 3G network who don't wish to change their handset, for now they will still be able to make phone calls and send texts as they do today – it's just their mobile data this change will affect. 'Anyone who is feeling worried and would like some support can get in touch with their provider to find out more about their options and make sure they are ready for the change, or they can call Age UK's Advice Line for free on 0800 169 65 65." Which mobile networks are affected by the 3G switch off? Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug How to check if your device is affected Smartphones bought in the last 10 years are unlikely to be affected by the switch off. However, if you are still unsure, you can do a simple trick to check. Click on the settings page on your phone and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network. If you spot 4G or 5G listed, then you will be unaffected by the switch off. IS THE SWITCH OFF THAT BIG OF A DEAL? Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun It's unclear exactly how many people will be affected by the 3G switch off. There wasn't much noise after Three, EE and Vodafone ended 3G. So, there will undoubtedly be some still using 3G-only phones but the numbers are probably very small. Just because it may be a small figure doesn't mean those people should be cast aside, especially if they're not very tech-savvy or vulnerable. So definitely get in contact with O2 (or GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile) if you need support, or Age UK.
