Steel industry leaders have urged the Prime Minister to push Donald Trump to end tariffs on UK imports, when the pair meet during the US President’s visit to Scotland. But expectations are low, despite the US and UK signing a deal in May that was supposed to eliminate tariffs entirely.
Mr Trump flies into the UK today for a four-day visit, and will meet the Prime Minister for lunch at his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire on Monday. UK Steel Director General, Gareth Stace, said: “This weekend, the President and Prime Minister must settle the zero-tariff deal once and for all. UK steelmakers are losing contracts with their most critical clients in the US and every passing day without a deal puts more jobs at risk. A swift resolution will give us the relief we so clearly need.”
The UK currently benefits from a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium, half the 50% charge which the US charges on other countries, but the “UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal” agreed in May stated fees would be eliminated. UK steel exports to America were worth £370 million in 2024.
However Sir Keir Starmer has played down expectations of a breakthrough, saying in an interview: “I hope we can make some progress.”
The Prime Minister said: “It is important to remember that we’re already in a more advantageous position on steel than every other country. But obviously what we’re working towards is the full implementation of what we’ve agreed.”
Scottish First Minister John Swinney is also due to meet Mr Trump and has promised to raise the conflict in Gaza.
But Mr Swinney was accused of making the job of thousands of police assigned to protect the president harder by encouraging protests, after he said: “Everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful manner.
“I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud.”
Scottish Police Federation general secretary David Kennedy said: “Politicians may seek to make statements on the world stage but it is police officers who will be left managing the very real consequences on the ground.”
A massive security operation involving 5,000 officers will be deployed to keep the President safe and protestors at bay.
Mr Trump is expected to visit both of his golf clubs in Scotland, in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, before leaving on Tuesday. The main purpose of the trip, billed by the White House as private, appears to be for the President to play golf – posing a dilemma for Sir Keir, who does not play.
The US President will return to the UK for a full state visit hosted by the King later this year.