The tariffs imposed on steel exports to the US are “very disappointing”, the MP for Scunthorpe has said.
Donald Trump’s administration has put the 25% charge on all steel and aluminium imported into the country.
UK Steel director general Gareth Stace said the tariffs “couldn’t come at a worse time for the UK steel industry”.
Scunthorpe MP Sir Nic Dakin said the government was doing “everything it can to support our steel industry”.
The development comes after unions put forward a plan last month to keep blast furnaces in Scunthorpe open after they had been earmarked for closure, with a plan to switch to more energy-efficient electric arc furnaces.
Sir Nic said: “I understand that many people here in the Scunthorpe area will be concerned to read the news that the US has today imposed global tariffs on steel and aluminium.
“This is very disappointing. The US is one of our closest allies and trading partners – a relationship that has mutually benefited both sides of the Atlantic.”
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Stace said: “These tariffs couldn’t come at a worse time for the UK steel industry, as we battle with high energy costs and subdued demand at home, against an oversupplied and increasingly protectionist global landscape.”