VerbatimParliament, as it happens

UK Trade with EU: Import Duties

Asked by Dr Al PinkertonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 16 March 2026UIN 119733

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of its red lines for negotiations with the EU on protecting critical industries from the imposition of tariffs.

Answered by Chris Bryant

The UK and EU are close partners with shared interests. We have agreed tariff free trade with the EU under the TCA, and we expect the EU to honour these obligations. The new steel tariff measures announced by the EU therefore present significant concern. We are engaging intensively with the European Commission to find a bilateral solution that protects vital UK-EU steel trade. We have made clear that restricting UK access to the EU market would disrupt key supply chains and harm both our industries.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim