UK Pressures Trump Over Steel Tariffs as Deadline Looms for Zero-Tariff Deal

In a last-ditch effort to shield its industry, the UK is ramping up diplomatic pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump, urging his administration to enact a zero-tariff agreement on British steel exports—just days before the U.S. plans to implement a new 50% tariff on global steel and aluminum imports.

🔹 Reynolds Heads to Paris, Pushes for Immediate Action

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set to meet with Trump trade envoy Jamieson Greer in Paris during the OECD summit. His mission: to secure clear timelines for the Economic Prosperity Agreement, signed on May 8 by Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The agreement promised to eliminate tariffs on British steel and aluminum, but after more than three weeks, nothing has been enacted. UK officials admit they still don’t know how severely the looming 50% tariff hike will impact the country’s £400 million annual exports to the U.S.

Trump’s Tariffs Loom as Agreements Stall Although tariff and automotive agreements were signed, they’ve yet to come into force. UK officials warn it could take months to activate the deals—leaving exporters exposed as Trump’s new 50% tariff advances, doubling the current 25% rate. Reynolds will use the Paris meeting to press for firm implementation dates, arguing it’s the only way Britain can prepare for the fallout. UK Steel Director Gareth Stace described the situation as chaotic: “Uncertainty lingers. We don’t know if our second-largest export market will remain open for business—or if it’s being shut for good.”

It’s Not Just Steel: British Cars at Stake The second part of the May 8 agreement aimed to reduce U.S. tariffs on British cars, with Trump agreeing to lower the duty from 27.5% to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles annually. Starmer claims the deal could help protect jobs at major manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover. Yet, like the steel deal, it remains in limbo. The UK has already made concessions—allowing more U.S. imports of beef, ethanol, and industrial goods—but none of the agreed trade benefits have materialized for either side.

Legal Confusion and Trump’s Lawsuits Slow Progress Adding to the turmoil, a U.S. international trade court recently ruled Trump’s broad “Liberation Day Tariff Scheme” as illegal. But the decision was immediately stayed by a federal appeals court, meaning Trump still has legal authority to move forward with his 50% steel tariff. There’s another obstacle: Trump himself. Trade analysts say the president is embroiled in numerous legal battles, leaving him distracted from trade matters. As one UK official put it: “The problem isn’t the paperwork—it’s the politics.”

Time Is Running Out The UK government says it plans to submit the Economic Prosperity Agreement and supporting legislation to Parliament, but no date has been confirmed. Meanwhile, the new U.S. tariff takes effect this Wednesday, and without action from Trump’s team, British exporters will face severe consequences.

💬 Question for readers: Should the UK continue pressuring Washington—or wait until U.S. politics are more stable?

#SteelTariffs , #TRUMP , #Tariffs , #TradingCommunity , #worldnews

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