Keir Starmer backs down as Donald Trump launches massive tariffs set to rock UK industry

The UK will not react to newly imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium by the US as the government says there will be no immediate retaliation.

Despite industry professionals calling on Sir to hit back at the US with retaliatory tariffs, Labour are resisting. Trade minister Douglas Alexander said the UK would offer a “cool and clear headed” response, and not have “a knee-jerk reaction”.

announced on Monday that any steel or aluminum coming into the US would be subject to a hefty import tax worth 25% of its value.

The US President hopes the move will shift the US away from foreign imports and increase domestic production of steel. It currently stands as the world’s largest importer of steel, with Canada, Brazil and Mexico being its top three suppliers.

Despite the UK not being a large supplier of steel to the US – the country only accounts for 10% of British steel exports – some suppliers believe trade with the US is vital.

Director general of UK steel, Gareth Stace has condemned President Trump’s decision, saying how he has taken a “sledgehammer to free trade with huge ramifications for the steel sector in the UK and across the world,” urging the government to retaliate with “stronger action”.

Speaking to the the industry professional said: “Our high-quality products serve key US industries, many of which cannot source these domestically. This is a moment where our countries should work together to tackle global steel overproduction, not to be at loggerheads.”

The new tariffs have also raised concern over an excess of steel being left in the UK. This is due to other countries refusing to export to the US, instead, potentially looking to offload their steel at a lower cost.

The union representing UK steel workers, Unite, has warned Labour that the president’s announcement “should be a wake-up call for this government”.

The prime minister’s approach is far more relaxed than other countries faced with the tariffs with Canada’s industry minister François-Philippe Champagne calling the decision “totally unjustified” and said its response would be “clear and calibrated”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also said “unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered”.

Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “We will take a considered approach to this. We will engage with the US on the detail, but the government is clear we will work in our national interest and this issue is no different to that.”