UK ends steel import protection

January 23, 2025 — UK has ended a safeguard measure on Category 2 steel products, a move that signals significant changes in the UK steel industry and could benefit various sectors reliant on cold-rolled steel.

Category 2 steel products, which include non-alloy and other alloy cold-rolled sheets, serve as essential materials in the manufacturing of automotive parts, domestic appliances, and a multitude of other goods—from radiators and steel drums to metal furniture and shelving.

The steel import protection measure was first imposed in July 2022 and subsequently extended in July 2024.

The decision to end the protection was made following a detailed review initiated by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) last November after Tata Steel UK (TSUK), the sole active domestic producer of these materials, applied for the discontinuation of the measure.

Tata Steel argued that it had ceased production of Category 2 steel products, claiming significant shifts in industry circumstances since the original safeguard measures were instituted. The TRA found no evidence that revoking the measure would lead to serious harm for TSUK, thus paving the way for the decision.

In October last year Tata steel ceased making steel at Port Tablot, the UK's largest steel plant bringing and end to ironmaking at the site.

While the safeguard measure on Category 2 steel products is set to be lifted, an anti-dumping measure on cold-rolled flat steel imports from Russia and China remains firmly in place. This protective legislation aims to counteract unfair import practices, ensuring a level playing field in the UK steel market.

The TRA operates as an independent body under the Department for Business and Trade and works to evaluate whether new trade remedy measures are necessary to protect UK industries from unfair competition and unexpected import surges. Under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, safeguard measures are one of several tools available to protect domestic industries from serious injury caused by an influx of imports.

As the revocation comes into effect, industry experts will be watching closely to gauge its impact on market dynamics and pricing structures in both domestic and consumer goods sectors. The decision serves as a significant reminder of the realities of global trade and the necessity for continuous adjustment within the UK manufacturing landscape.

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