Britain: TRA makes Final Recommendation to extend steel safeguard measures

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has made its Final Recommendation on extending the UK’s steel safeguard measure to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. The Secretary of State will first review the TRA recommendation before publishing their decision.

The TRA has recommended that the measure, which protects the country’s steel industry from surges in imports, be extended for a further two years. Under WTO rules, the Department for Business and Trade allows international parties to comment on the TRA’s Final Recommendation during a period of consultation.

The current measure, which covers 15 categories of steel would expire on 30 June 2024, if not extended. If the measure is extended this year, it must end by 30 June 2026. Under WTO rules another safeguard measure for these product categories of steel could then not be put in place for another eight years.

To prepare for the potential expiry of the safeguard measure in June 2026, businesses could apply to TRA for new trade remedy measures on specific  categories of steel products if they felt that the UK industry was being injured by, or was at threat of, dumped or subsidised imports.

Source: UK Government, Photo: Fotolia