The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) expanded its review of the steel safeguard measure to consider new evidence submitted by the UK steel industry. UK Steel, the trade association for the sector, presented evidence earlier this month indicating that changing circumstances may justify adjustments to the current tariff rate quotas. The TRA will now incorporate this evidence into an ongoing review of developing countries excluded from the safeguard measure.

UK Steel’s submission highlighted that certain steel categories, particularly categories 4, 7, and 13, are being dominated by individual countries and quickly exhausted. Other categories, such as 5, 16, 17, and 21, have seen their quotas used up prematurely. Additionally, the submission noted a decline in global steel demand, including a 16% drop in the UK from 2018 to 2023. UK Steel argued that the current safeguard measure no longer provides adequate protection for the UK industry. The TRA will now assess whether changes to the tariff rate quotas are necessary, with interested parties able to submit comments by April 9, 2025.