Seeking NI industry input: Call for evidence on UK Steel trade measures

Share your views on using trade measures to provide ongoing protection for the UK steel industry

The UK currently applies a global safeguard measure on certain steel products to address the issue of global steel overcapacity and unfair trade practices.

The safeguard covers 14 steel product categories with tariff rate quotas (TRQs) that impose a 25% tariff on imports exceeding the quota volumes.

This measure is intended to protect the domestic steel industry from import surges and provide time to adapt to new trading patterns.

This safeguard is due to expire in June 2026 in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. However, the UK steel industry faces a challenging global trading landscape due to significant steel overcapacity.

In this context, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) recognises the need to maintain protection for this critical industry after the safeguard’s expiry to:

• protect national interests
• promote fair competition
• support growth in the steel sector

DBT is therefore seeking stakeholder views through this call for evidence on future trade measure options.

In Northern Ireland, measures exist to address divergence resulting from UK and EU steel safeguard measures. This context may be addressed when responding.

Find out more about the call for evidence and how to respond.

If you have any questions regarding this call for evidence, contact SteelTradeMeasuresCfE@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

First published 8 July 2025