Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 31, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleThe EU will lift tariffs on UK steel under a new quota system, enhancing trade ties post-Brexit. UK can export 27,000 tonnes quarterly without extra tariffs.
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said the European Union will remove tariffs on key steel products under a quota system from Friday as part of a reset of ties and a recent deal to ease trade barriers.
In May, Britain agreed the most significant reset of defence and trade ties with the European Union since Brexit, which included a "bespoke arrangement" to protect UK steel exports from new EU rules and tariffs.
Britain had said the European Commission would restore its country-specific steel quota to pre-2022 levels, but had not previously specified when this would take effect.
Trade minister Jonathan Reynolds said the removal of tariffs was "yet another positive step forward for the UK steel sector" after the government intervened to save jobs at British Steel and struck a deal to avoid the highest U.S. steel tariffs.
"Restoring our steel quota helps give producers the certainty they need to compete, grow, and maintain vital export relationships," he said.
Britain said it could export up to 27,000 tonnes of steel to the EU each quarter without paying an extra tariff under the arrangement.
Gareth Stace, director general of UK Steel, said the restoration of the quota was "excellent news", adding companies had been "plagued by problems" shipping items like support beams.
Britain is yet to conclude negotiations with the United States after both sides agreed in May to work to eliminate steel tariffs on exports from Britain.
British steel exports to the U.S. face tariffs of 25%, and avoided an increase to 50% thanks to its U.S. agreement, but talks to remove the tariffs have stalled due to discussions over supply chains and where British steel is "melted and poured".
(Reporting by Alistair SmoutEditing by Frances Kerry)
Britain announced that the EU will remove tariffs on key steel products under a quota system as part of a reset of ties and a deal to ease trade barriers.
Under the new arrangement, Britain can export up to 27,000 tonnes of steel to the EU each quarter without incurring extra tariffs.
Gareth Stace described the restoration of the quota as 'excellent news', highlighting that companies had faced significant challenges in shipping steel products.
Negotiations with the United States are ongoing, with both sides having agreed to work towards eliminating steel tariffs on British exports, although discussions have stalled.
Trade minister Jonathan Reynolds stated that the removal of tariffs is a positive step for the UK steel sector, providing producers with the certainty needed to compete and grow.
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