Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Trade Remedies Authority’s reviews into Hot Rolled Flat and Coil steel (Category 1 products), and the potential impact of Tata Steel UK's decarbonisation plans on the UK's steel import demand, what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK's trade remedies framework remains responsive and effective in addressing both current and emerging challenges in the steel sector.

As part of reforming the trade remedies framework, legislation was laid in September 2023, which created additional flexibility for Ministers with respect to decisions regarding the steel safeguard. On 9 February 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority initiated a ‘TRQ review’ and a ‘suspension assessment’ of product category 1 of the steel safeguard measure. As their investigations remain ongoing, I cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.