Committee publication · Correspondence · 30 June 2026
Letter from the Minister for Trade relating to the new steel trade measures, 24 June 2026
From: Business and Trade Committee
Inquiry: Industrial Strategy
Summary
Minister for Trade Sir Chris Bryant notifies the Business and Trade Committee of final details for new UK steel trade measures taking effect 1 July 2026. The measure reduces tariff-free import quotas by 51% versus the Steel Safeguard to 3.2 million tonnes, balancing domestic steel production security with impacts on steel-using industries. The Government has negotiated adjustments with the EU and maintains special arrangements for GB-NI trade.
Key findings
- Overall quota volume set at 3.2mt—a 21% increase from provisional April figures, reducing the proposed 60% quota cut to 51%
- Tariff-free imports limited and 11 of 20 product categories uplifted, including non-alloy hot-rolled sheets, tin mill products, and merchant bars favoured by downstream users
- 11 product codes removed (no UK production confirmed) and 2 added (new production evidence); GB-NI arrangements preserved following EU discussions
- UK launching Article XXVIII WTO process to permanently raise maximum MFN steel tariffs; negotiations expected autumn 2026
- Government engaged extensively with stakeholders, businesses, and parliamentary colleagues on supply-chain impacts before finalising measure
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Liam Byrne MP, Department for Business and Trade, European Union, World Trade Organization
Notable line
“From 1 July 2026 we will now limit tariff-free steel imports and reduce overall quota volumes by 51% compared to the Steel Safeguard.”
Key Quotes
“From 1 July 2026 we will now limit tariff-free steel imports and reduce overall quota volumes by 51% compared to the Steel Safeguard.”
“The new steel trade measure must strike a difficult balance between securing the future of UK steel production, given its importance to critical national infrastructure and defence, and the impact on steel - using industries.”
“This will provide stability for UK-EU steel trade from 1 July, while we continue to work together to strengthen UK-EU steel trade.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗