§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action has been taken by her Department to prepare the UK steel industry for the lifting of US steel tariffs. [142854]
§ Ms HewittMy Department is in regular contact with the UK steel industry and its stakeholders, on this and other issues. We have used these contacts to keep them informed of developments in the EU's WTO case against the US.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's estimate is of the cost to the UK steel industry of the United States' tariffs on imported steel. [142855]
§ Ms HewittUK steel exports to the US fell by 14 per cent. in 2002 compared with the figure for 2001. The negative consequences of the US decision for the UK steel industry were reduced by our success in securing exclusions for UK products from the US safeguard measure. At the point when the safeguard was lifted, 74 per cent. of UK steel exports to the US were free of safeguard tariffs. The Government also supported the EU steel safeguard, which prevented any surge into the EU of steel from third countries diverted from the US market.