Britain’s Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is set to meet the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of a bilateral trade arrangement complicated by the U.S. decision to impose new steel tariffs.
Impact of Reynolds’ visit to US
Reynolds’ visit to Paris and Brussels this week marks a key step in reviewing recent political agreements with both the United States and the European Union, which are Britain’s two largest trading partners. While the deals announced last month signal political alignment, they are not formal trade agreements, and their implementation details remain unclear.
One of the main points of friction is the recent announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump that doubled tariffs on imported steel from 25 per cent to 5 per cent, effective on Wednesday. Though Trump and UK Labour leader Keir Starmer previously agreed to reduce tariffs on British car and steel exports to the U.S. but delays in putting the deal into action have raised concerns about a temporary spike in tariffs before reductions take effect.
Industry group UK Steel has warned that British producers could be hit hard by the tariff hike, calling it a potential body blow to the sector.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed that Britain is engaging with the U.S. to understand the implications of the new measures ahead of Reynolds’ meeting with Greer in Paris. The two are expected to focus on setting a timeline for implementing the bilateral trade arrangement.
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“We recognise our relationship with G7 allies, and EU counterparts must continue to evolve and deliver a better trading environment for our businesses and exporters,” Reynolds said in a statement before his departure
Reynolds will also meet with Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss the recently concluded UK-India Free Trade Agreement. While the deal has been negotiated, the legal text is still being finalised and will require ratification by both governments, a process that could take several months.
In Paris, Reynolds will hold talks with G7 and OECD counterparts before meeting EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels. A key topic in those discussions will be Britain’s post-Brexit trading relationship with the EU.
Efforts are underway to reduce red tape on food exports between the UK and the EU without reopening the broader Brexit agreement. While a plan is in development, its final terms have not yet been agreed upon.
In a unilateral move to ease trade flows, the UK announced on Monday that it would scrap planned border checks on EU fruit and vegetable imports that were due to begin in July.
