Black Country faces damage from steel and aluminium tariffs

The region is home to a large population of manufacturers reliant upon a stable global metals market and a supply of quality, economically viable steel is essential.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce warned that currency fluctuations are already a major concern for businesses reliant on steel imports and yesterday’s announcement will only worsen that.

It said the region's businesses would face excessive time and cost increases when importing and exporting steel and aluminium.

Chamber chief executive Corin Crane said: “Many businesses will be concerned by the President’s announcement on steel and aluminium tariffs. The Black Country’s densely populated, high-value manufacturing sector will be concerned about the potential effects on job security in our region.

“Industry bodies across the Black Country and UK had hoped that the President would avoid a blanket tariff on foreign steel, unfortunately this has not happened. As businesses across our region proceed into an unprecedented period of trade uncertainty, the US government has done nothing to mitigate against those fears.

“As a chamber, we will continue to lobby on behalf of affected members and utilise our strong links with the British Chambers of Commerce to ensure that Black Country voices are heard by the government in Westminster.”

The West Bromwich-based Aluminium Federation has rejected the assumption that its exports are a threat to US national security and is calling on the UK government and EU to launch a World Trade Organisation trade dispute over the unjustified measures.

Tom Jones, the federation's chief executive, said: “Since the US Government began discussing the serious possibility of import duties, we’ve emphasised the importance of our transatlantic trade relationship – and categorically rejected the idea that UK aluminium exports represent a threat to US national security.

“We will continue coordinating with government stakeholders, industry representatives and trade bodies from the US, EU and other countries to manage the consequences for our members and their supply chains. This includes working with the Department for Business and Industrial Strategy, Government ministers and European Aluminium on ways to contest the tariffs through the WTO. Our efforts will continue to focus on long-term, fair and sustainable ways to address distortions in global aluminium markets.”

The federation represents more than 100 businesses who process, trade and work with aluminium.