US Steel and Aluminium Tariffs

Lord West of Spithead Excerpts

Wednesday 12th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

My Lords, that is very much a hypothetical question. As I said earlier, we have very good relations with both our key partners, the US and the EU, and we will continue to aim to maintain those relationships. We have seen no sign that the EU will take any action against us, and we will continue to pursue good, friendly and trade-based relationships with the EU.

[Lord West of Spithead (Lab)]

My Lords, the steel that the US imports from us is specialist steel. It is interesting that, for the new ballistic missile submarines—both our own and the American ones—a common missile compartment is being designed and built by the UK. It will contain specialist steel, for which the US will pay more money. The Government are absolutely right not to take any action at this stage, because people will look again at this and there will be sensible negotiations.

[Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lab)]

My noble friend makes a very good point. As I said, we very much support the strengthening of our steel industry in this country. It is very important to us, and we are taking a number of measures to invest in and build that sector, including the specialist sectors he referred to.