Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch set to introduce new measures to protect struggling UK steel
New measures making it easier for ministers to protect the struggling steel industry – by canceling independent advice on tariffs – are set to be announced by Kemi Badenoch.
They will give the Business and Trade Secretary greater discretion when following recommendations from the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), according to the Mail.
The body was set up in 2021 when Britain took over responsibilities from the EU to tackle unfair practices.
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch is set to introduce new measures to make it easier for ministers to protect the struggling steel industry
But his authority was challenged when then-International Trade Secretary Liz Truss rejected some recommendations on steel tariffs amid an outcry from British industry over Chinese ‘dumping’ cheap exports.
The TRA had said that protectionist tariffs and quotas on ten types of products were to be maintained for three years but removed on nine others.
Truss canceled it by extending quotas on five of the nine. To do this, it had to create regulations to circumvent existing legislation.
A source said the changes announced by Badenoch would make it easier for ministers to make such decisions in the public interest.
The source said the TRA would continue to provide expert advice and analysis. Ministers can also consider “geopolitical factors” affecting trade.
The source added: ‘She thinks there are some tweaks that can be made that retain the original purpose of the TRA but just give the government a bit more flexibility in how we apply these types of remedies.’
The details will form part of the finance bill – the government’s budget legislation.
The changes should be in effect by the fall.
