Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the US’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on the future negotiation of a strong trading partnership between the US and UK after the UK has left the EU.

The United States and United Kingdom are strong partners and allies. The US-UK bilateral trading relationship is an important one and vital to our economy. Total trade between the UK and US in 2016 was £167.6bn and both sides have committed to deepening our commercial relationship further.

The Government has made representations to the US Administration at the highest levels, on the proposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, including when the Prime Minister raised the UK's concerns with President Trump.

We will continue our positive and productive conversations with the US, on strengthening our bilateral trade and investment relationship, through the UK-US Trade and Investment Working Group.