UK temporarily spared from Trump's 50% metal tariffs
The UK has been temporarily spared from US President Donald Trump's executive order doubling steel and aluminium tariffs from 25% to 50%.
The order signed by Trump on Tuesday evening raises import taxes for US-based firms buying from other countries from Wednesday - but the levy remains at 25% for the UK.
The order depends on the UK and US tariff pact signed in May, which would axe steel and aluminium tariffs but has yet to come into force, meaning UK steel exporters will face tariffs until then and could face the 50% tariff if the pact falters.
The UK government said it is "committed to protecting British business and jobs", but the Conservatives said the order was a "fresh tariff blow".
The UK government spokesperson added that it will "continue to work with the US to implement our agreement, which will see the [tariffs] removed", with the legislation implementing the deal to be presented in Parliament "in due course".
Trump said in the order that the UK needed "different treatment" because of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (ECD) signed on 8 May 2025.
However, Trump later added that the US might increase the tariff on the UK "on or after July 9 2025" if it "determines that the United Kingdom has not complied with relevant aspects of the EPD".