Business reporter, BBC News
Getty ImagesThe UK has been temporarily spared from US President Donald Trump’s executive order doubling steel and aluminium tariffs from 25% to 50%.
The order signed by Trump on Tuesday evening raises import taxes for US firms buying from other countries from Wednesday – but the levy remains at 25% for the UK.
The order depends on the UK and US tariff pact signed in May, which would axe steel and aluminium tariffs but has yet to come into force, meaning UK steel exporters will face tariffs until then and could face the 50% tariff if the pact falters.
The UK government said it is “committed to protecting British business and jobs”, but the Conservatives said the order was a “fresh tariff blow”.
The UK government spokesperson added that it will “continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the [tariffs] removed”, with the legislation implementing the deal to be presented in Parliament “in due course”.
Trump said in the order that the UK needed “different treatment” because of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (ECD) signed on 8 May 2025.
However, Trump later added that the US might increase the tariff on the UK “on or after July 9 2025” if it “determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with relevant aspects of the EPD”.
How we reached this point
- 10 February: Trump announces 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to the US – the new duties kicked in on 12 March
- 2 April: Trump announces most countries – including the UK – will face a 10% “baseline” tariff on all goods sent to the US
- 8 May: UK and US agree to reduce or remove some levies
- 4 June: US raises import taxes for steel and aluminium to 50% – the levy temporarily remains at 25% for the UK
The UK’s carve-out in the executive order comes after Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Paris on Tuesday.
The US is the destination for about 7% of UK steel exports, meaning any tariffs have a big impact on the industry.
Director general of UK Steel Gareth Stace said the UK’s exemption from the 50% tariff was “a welcome pause”, but added that “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,” he said.
Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: “Labour’s botched negotiations have left businesses in limbo and this country simply cannot afford their continuing failure.”