Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Minister for Trade policy's oral contribution of 21 April, to Question 23, if she will publish a copy of any written offer to the TUC to join the Trade Advisory Board.
Answered by Ranil Jayawardena
It is not practice to publish such correspondence but the Hon. Gentleman is mistaken as to the meeting and offer in question.
It is a matter of public record that the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have seats on the Department’s Trade Union Advisory Group and Strategic Trade Advisory Group respectively.
Following the TUC’s request, the Department has offered a number of seats on Trade Advisory Groups (TAGs) for representatives of trades unions, but the TUC have not taken up these seats yet.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the impact on the steel industry of removing Russia’s entitlement to Most Favoured Nation tariff.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
On 25 March, the government implemented increased tariff duties on a number of goods originating in Russia and Belarus. These measures are a necessary response to Putin’s continued assault on Ukraine.
Careful analysis was conducted across government to identify relevant products. The government looked at relevant considerations, including balancing the impacts on the UK economy against wider objectives.
UK steel producers which sourced materials from Russia are changing to alternative sources and are doing all they can to mitigate supply chain disruption. Producers are showing great resilience in these challenging circumstances. We are continuing to work with companies to monitor impacts.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what progress has been made on ensuring the removal of section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium imports in the US.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Following two months of intensive discussions, the UK secured an expansive removal of Section 232 tariffs on UK steel and aluminium exports to the US on 22 March. The solution reached with the US is bespoke for the UK and reflects the needs and interests of our steel and aluminium industries.
From 1 June 2022, the US will replace its Section 232 tariffs on certain UK exports of steel and aluminium with “tariff-rate quotas” (TRQs). This re-opens tariff-free access to the US market back to levels before section 232 tariffs up to a specified volume. This will bring welcome relief to the UK steel and aluminium industries which support the jobs of around 80,000 people across the UK supply chain.
Asked by: Bill Esterson (Labour - Sefton Central)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the Government plans to prohibit imports of Russian-made steel in the context of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
In lockstep with our allies, we are introducing the largest and most severe economic sanctions that Russia has ever faced, to help cripple Putin’s war machine. Following the G7 statement of Friday 11 March, the UK will deny Russia’s entitlement to Most Favoured Nation tariff access on key products, including steel.
As you know, we do not speculate on future sanctions. However, we have made clear that will continue to apply pressure on Putin’s regime.