Tata Steel UK’s senior managers, including Tom Evans, Head of Public Affairs, and Tim Rutter, Public Relations Manager, have expressed their hopes for a deal between the UK and US governments to minimize the impact of Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs on Britain’s steel industry. The company has been going through a tough period, including job losses due to the shift from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces at its Port Talbot steelworks.
In a podcast, Evans and Rutter highlighted the challenges posed by the tariffs, saying that it’s up to each individual country, like the UK, to negotiate an exemption and at what cost. They emphasized the importance of UK-US trade ties and the need for UK steel to be made in the UK to meet growing demand.
The company has submitted seven requests to the UK Government, including partnering with the steel industry to capitalize on future growth, addressing high energy costs, and ensuring the UK is protected from global steel overcapacity. They also hope to benefit from public procurement and have their steel at the heart of the green economy.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens committed to supporting the UK steel industry, saying the government is backing Tata Steel with £500m to secure its future and £80m to support workers and the community. She emphasized the importance of British-made steel and announced a plan for £2.5 billion in investment to rebuild the UK steel industry.
Tata Steel’s deal to secure planning permission for its electric arc furnace at Port Talbot provides more certainty for the future of steelmaking in South Wales. The company is committed to adapting to the changing global environment and is working towards a successful transition to greener steelmaking.