Statement by the Department for Business and Trade on the future of the UK’s steel safeguard measure
Published 26 June 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extension-of-the-uks-steel-safeguard-measure/statement-by-the-department-for-business-and-trade-on-the-future-of-the-uks-steel-safeguard-measure
On 4 September 2023, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated an extension review of the steel safeguard measure. The extension review considered whether serious injury would recur to UK steel producers if the measure were removed on any of the 15 product categories.
During the extension review, the TRA considered evidence from both domestic and international industry and organisations. After careful consideration of the facts, they recommended to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on 19 April 2024 that the measure should be extended on all 15 product categories for a further 2 years, to 30 June 2026. This recommendation was on the basis that UK industry would likely be seriously injured in all 15 product categories if the measure expired.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has considered the evidence contained within the recommendation made by the TRA and wider matters in the public interest, including the UK’s obligations under the relevant World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement. As a result of these deliberations, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has decided to extend the safeguard measure on all 15 product categories to 30 June 2026.
The Secretary of State’s decision to extend the measure on 5 of the 15 product categories represents a departure from the UK’s obligations under the relevant WTO Agreements. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade balanced this against the evidence the TRA found in their investigation and the UK’s public interest.
The Secretary of State for Business and Trade also decided to extend the application of the suspension for Ukraine to 30 June 2026. The extension review conducted by the TRA did not consider the future of the existing suspension for Ukraine as it was beyond the scope of their investigation. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade decided that it was in the UK’s public interest to extend the suspension for Ukraine to 30 June 2026. This decision ensures imports of Ukrainian steel will not be subject to the additional safeguard quotas and duty. This is in line with the UK’s commitment to support Ukraine in the war with Russia.
These decisions by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade have been taken with reference to the Ministerial Code and the UK’s wider obligations and following consultation with relevant ministers.
The decisions will come into effect from 1 July 2024. The government will publish a public notice on 30 June 2024 to give effect to these decisions.