Due to US new tariffs, US buyers of the UK’s steel products have started to look for alternative materials. Some customers are even considering cancelling their orders although it hasn’t happened.

UK Steel, the trade association for the UK steel industry, believed that retaliatory measures are not the best response to the US’ new tariffs, while the bigger problem is trade diversion. To protect the steel industry and ensure fair trade, quick short-term measures are needed, not retaliatory actions.

Although there is no specific data available, it is expected that trade diversion will seriously affect domestic sales. The EU has taken action and the UK steel industry is calling on the UK government to follow suit quickly.