Steel Import Restrictions

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Excerpts

Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that. We are making best use of where we are today as far as our position with Brexit is concerned. We are entering into free trade deals with many countries across the world; we have just signed the FTA with India and are in conversations with South Korea and Turkey, and we have completed a free trade deal with the GCC countries. Those are the benefits and dividends of Brexit.

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con)]

My Lords, just to share with the noble Lord opposite, there were extensive discussions: the CPTPP was signed and the India trade negotiations were started under the previous Government. I should know, because I was involved in them. I have a simple question. Having worked with our counterparts and friends in India, I know they will look at this as ill thought-out. The steel strategy was not effectively co-ordinated—to address the question from the previous noble Lord—on the implications for manufacturers here who rely on steel that is imported into the country, and in particular those reliant on Indian steel.

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

The noble Lord is absolutely right and I congratulate the former Government on starting the conversations on the India free trade deal and the CPTPP. However, the prize is closing the deal, which we have done in government. On the assessments and all that, look, we have absolutely no intention of undermining the benefits of the trade deal for any specific sector. That is why my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade is in India having conversations with Minister Goyal to ensure that this free trade deal is implemented as soon as possible.