Donald Trump spares UK from new 50% steel and aluminium tariffs

The UK appears to have been spared from the immediate hit of Donald Trump's 50% steel and aluminium tariffs.

President Trump seems to have handed the UK a reprieve by opting to "provide different treatment" following a deal hammered out between Washington and London last month.

Though import duties in Britain will remain pegged at 25%, the threat of a 50% tariff looms from July, as outlined in a document detailing the hike shared by a White House X account tonight.

The presidential order states Mr Trump has "further determined that it is necessary and appropriate to allow for the implementation of the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal of May 8, 2025 (EPD), and to accordingly provide different treatment, as described below, for imports of steel and aluminum articles, and their derivatives, from the United Kingdom".

It goes on to maintain that tariffs will stick at 25% for now, adding: "On or after July 9, 2025, the Secretary may adjust the applicable rates of duty and construct import quotas for steel and aluminum consistent with the terms of the EPD, or he may increase the applicable rates of duty to 50 percent if he determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with relevant aspects of the EPD".

The introduction of the broader 50% tariff rate is slated to commence from 12.01am Washington DC time on Wednesday, translating to 5.01am here in the UK.

A Government spokesperson said: "The UK was the first country to secure a trade deal with the US earlier this month and we remain committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change.

"We're pleased that as a result of our agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs.

"We will continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the 25% US tariffs on steel removed."

In an impressive feat, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's negotiation prowess has resulted in a provisional trade deal with the US, offering hope to industries affected by steel and aluminium tariffs - although the fine details are still being ironed out.

Today, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds engaged in talks with White House trade envoy Jamieson Greer in Paris.

Intense discussions between Mr Reynolds and Mr Greer at the Department for Business and Trade revolved around hastening the enforcement of the freshly-minted London-Washington trade arrangement, with both parties eager to see fruitful cooperation.

The broad strokes of the UK-US trade understanding were made public back in May when the deal came to light, sketching out the blueprint for future collaboration.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed queries on the complete terms of the agreement, informing journalists on Tuesday: "There's most definitely text with this deal, there is language that this side has seen.

"You'll have to ask the UK Parliament why they haven't seen it from their own Government, I obviously can't answer that question."

UK Steel welcomed Trump's decision to keep tariffs at 25% on imports of British steel and aluminium for now, but said that "uncertainty remains" over the final rate.

Director general, Gareth Stace, said: "The president's decision not to impose a 50% tariff on UK steelmakers, but to keep the rate at 25% while the UK-US deal is completed, is a welcome pause.

"The Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, recognises that steel trade stability and security between our two nations is of utmost importance and has acted swiftly.

"Continued 25% tariffs will benefit shipments already on the water that we were concerned would fall under a tax hike. However, uncertainty remains over timings and final tariff rates, and now US customers will be dubious over whether they should even risk making UK orders.

"The US and UK must urgently turn the May deal into reality to remove the tariffs completely.

"At an already crushing time for our steel industry, with global oversupply and weak demand, we must continue to work together to support sales levels in our second most important export market.

"It is also time for the UK Government to take decisive action domestically on trade defence. There is plain evidence of trade diversion switching gears into the UK after the EU stepped up its trade defences, and now we must do the same.

"Imports are flooding into the UK market, depressing steel prices and taking away market share. We must not lose sight of our domestic market while battling to stabilise exports to the US."