The UK Trade Remedies Authority has decided to reconsider its previous recommendations over removing tariffs on some steel imports after protests from the steel industry, according to reports.
The trade practices watchdog said it received eight submissions urging it to reconsider the initial assessment. The industry fears UK could become a dumping ground for cheaper steel as both US and EU continue to maintain strict import tariffs.
Previously in June, the TRA decided to scrap tariffs across nine of 19 steel product categories, which sparked mass outrage from the steel industry. UK Steel warned that the decision would be a severe blow for the already struggling sector.
Following the announcement in June, domestic steel producers asked the TRA to extend protections to more categories of steel products. Importers, on the other hand, wanted more protections to be removed.
The UK steel sector welcomed the announcement as the previous decision exposed the industry to uncontrolled import surges and reduced the effectiveness of the remaining protections that attempt to control the long-term sustainability of the UK steel sector, according to the UK steel director-general, Gareth Stace.