Companies send letter to business secretary complaining new rules were imposed with 24 hours’ notice
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UK metals companies have threatened to take legal action against the government over tariffs on raw steel imports from Asia which they claim have caused a “tsunami” of problems for the industry.
Earlier this summer, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, reduced the amount of raw steel from Vietnam and South Korea that can be imported tariff-free in a move designed to protect UK raw steel makers, which face competition from cheap imports.
In a letter to Reynolds, a group of manufacturers who use raw steel to make industrial products threatened to sue the government after the cut took effect in July, leaving shipments already paid for liable to a 25% tariff. Reynolds is expected to reply to the letter this week, after asking for more time to respond.
