Number 10 lobby summary on US imposing tariffs on imported steel and the weather
2 min read
Here is a summary of this morning's briefing for lobby journalists by the Prime Minister's official spokesman.
STEEL TARIFFS
On Donald Trump's announcement that America intends to impose tariffs on imported steel, the spokesman said:
"We're engaging with the US on what this announcement means in practice. As we've said, we're particularly concerned by any measures which might impact the UK steel and aluminium industries. More broadly, over-capacity remains a significant global issue and we believe multi-lateral action is the only way to resolve it in all parties' interests."
On whether this will hamper attempts to strike a free trade deal with America after Brexit, the spokesman said:
"The USA is our biggest trade partner and we invest over £500bn in each other's economies. Over one million Americans work for UK companies and we will remain close partners and continue to work at the highest levels to make the case for the UK industry to the US government."
He added: "We don't yet know if the UK will be included in any tariffs and we are working across government to get to the bottom of this."
WEATHER
On the Government's response to the extreme weather hitting the UK, the spokesman said: "Across government, work is going on to keep disruption to a minimum. We're working with all our partners at national and local level and in the private sector to ensure this is happening.
"The Department for Transport is working closely with the transport sector and is in close contact with Network Rail and the train companies, Highways England, airports and airlines. Extra teams are on the ground on rail to respond to incidents and carry out track inspections; on the roads Highways England and councils have fleets of gritting vehicles using GPS technology to help manage ongoing salt spreading; airports operators' contingency response teams are continuing snow clearance and de-icing operations in UK airports."
