In a statement, trade association UK Steel said:

President Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and steel derivative products have today come into effect, with no exemptions granted to the UK or any other trading partners. 
These will have hugely damaging consequences for UK suppliers and their customers in the USA. They will also have a further harmful indirect effect of deflecting steel trade from the US into markets such as the UK. Further reciprocal tariffs are also expected be announced by the US on 2 April.

In its own statement, a Tata Steel spokesperson said: “We continue to be concerned over the 25% tariff on UK steel that has been imposed by the US today. The tariffs are causing a lot of uncertainty for our customers and today’s enacting of these tariffs could lead to us losing a significant share of our export revenue.

“Other governments, including that of the EU, are very likely to tighten safeguard measures, which the UK must do to avoid cheaper imports flooding our market and pushing down prices as competitors look to redirect steel originally destined for the US.

“We are already working closely with the UK Government to defend our interests, as well as further efforts to mitigate the effects of the tariffs on UK imports.

“The products we supply to the US market are not made domestically, meaning these do not compete with or threaten the American industry, and tariffs would only reduce choice for US consumers and businesses.”
 

President Trump must surely recognise that the UK is an ally, not a foe. Our steel sector is not a threat to the US, but a partner to key customers

UK Steel went on to say: 
The US is the UK’s second most important export market for steel after the EU, particularly as it is a high value market. US exports account for 9% of UK steel exports by value and 7% by volume - mostly specialist steel that goes into crucial sectors such as defence, oil and gas, construction equipment and packaging. At a time of already highly challenging market conditions, with global overcapacity and oversupply, high energy costs, and weak demand, the blow to our exports will be detrimental.

The US is the UK’s second most important export market for steel after the EU

Meanwhile, the UK is only partially shielded from trade diversion. Steel safeguard quotas have been liberalised every year and are now 22% larger than when they were first introduced in 2018. All while UK demand has contracted by 16%. These quotas are oversized and do not offer adequate protection from the large-scale trade diversion that is likely to take place.

These measures will lapse in June 2026. It is essential that existing measures are tightened, as the EU is doing with its own measures, and concrete plans are put in place for the replacement of safeguards, ideally well before their expiry. There is a huge amount of momentum around steel in the EU, including its Steel and Metals Action Plan to be presented on 19 March. This will further add to the pressure both on the UK’s direct exports, as well as our trade defences.

UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace, said: “Today’s imposition of tariffs on UK steel from the US administration is hugely disappointing. President Trump must surely recognise that the UK is an ally, not a foe. Our steel sector is not a threat to the US, but a partner to key customers, sharing the same values and objectives in addressing global overcapacity and tackling unfair trade.

“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

“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. What’s more, the EU will also be taking trade restrictive action soon that will amplify the impact of US tariffs.

“It is essential that the UK Government not only continues efforts to negotiate exemptions with the US, but also takes decisive action to bolster our trade defences. We greatly appreciate all the efforts that have been made so far and will continue working closely with our Government to secure the best possible outcome.”