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Iron and Steel: Import Duties

Asked by Dame Harriett BaldwinConservativeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 18 June 2026UIN 9559

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 50% steel tariff from 1 July 2026 on the UK's sovereign capability to make ball bearings.

Answered by Chris McDonald

The Government engaged extensively with both primary steel producers and downstream users to inform development of the steel trade measure, including a Call for Evidence in July 2025. The Government is clear that a strong domestic steel sector and a competitive manufacturing base depend on one another, and our approach seeks to support both. The measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply for all downstream users.

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