Iron and Steel: Safeguard Measures

(asked on 24th June 2026) - View Source

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what representations he has made at the World Trade Organization to allow the current steel safeguard measures to continue after June 30th 2026 with minimal changes.


Answered by
Chris McDonald Portrait
Chris McDonald
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 29th June 2026

In accordance with World Trade Organization rules, the UK’s steel safeguard expires on 30 June. We cannot extend the existing safeguard and cannot risk any gap in protection, particularly at a time of rising global overcapacity, which would leave the UK steel sector exposed. From 1 July 2026, we are introducing a new trade measure that will limit tariff-free steel imports and reduce overall quota volumes by 51% compared to the Steel Safeguard. Any imports above these levels will face a 50% tariff. The overall quota volume will be 3.2mt.

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