The UK appears to have escaped the immediate hit of Donald Trump’s 50% steel and aluminum tariffs.
The US president has decided to “provide a different treatment” to the UK after a deal struck between Washington and London last month.
According to the version of the order posted by the White House X account on Tuesday, taxes remain at 25% for imports from the UK, but the UK could be eligible for a 50% higher rate from July.
According to the text of the order, Trump “deemed necessary and appropriate to enable the implementation of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Contract of 8 May 2025 (EPD), providing different treatments as explained below for imports of steel and aluminum goods and their derivatives from the UK.”
The order later states that the rate will remain at 25% for now and will be added as follows:
“From July 9, 2025, the Secretary may adjust the applicable obligation rate to build a steel and aluminum import quota that matches the terms of the EPD, or increase the applicable obligation rate to 50% if the UK determines that it is not complying with relevant aspects of the EPD.”
The 50% tariff rate is expected to take effect from Washington, DC time on Wednesday, just after 5am in the UK.
A government spokesman said:
“The UK was the first country to secure a trade agreement with the US earlier this month, and we are committed to protecting UK businesses and jobs across key sectors, including iron, as part of our plan for change.
“We are pleased that as a result of the agreement with the US, UK steel will not be subject to these additional tariffs.
“We will continue to work with the US to implement the agreement, which will remove the 25% tariff in the US.”
The trade agreement for Kiel’s priority position with the US, discovered last month, included tariff relief on steel and aluminum, but its implementation has not yet been finalized.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met Paris White House Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday.
According to the Business Trade Bureau, Reynolds and Greer discussed their desire to carry out a hit deal between London and Washington as soon as possible, and committed to working closely to make it happen.
The general terms and conditions of the UK and US contract were made public in May when the agreement was announced, and outlined the intended plan.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday when asked if there was a full deal text ready for release:
“You’ll have to ask the British Parliament why they didn’t see it from their own government, I can clearly not answer that question.”
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