UK steel industry drowning in flood of Chinese imports, union leader warns

The UK steel industry is "drowning" in a flood of cheap Chinese imports, which will get worse after the United States decided to impose new tariffs, a union leader has warned.

Community said the US announcement of tariffs of 266% on Chinese steel contrasted starkly with the "measly" 16% Europe introduced last month.

Commenting ahead of the first meeting of a Government-convened Steel Council, general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: "At every opportunity the Business Secretary says he supports a level playing field for UK steel producers, but his government continues to block moves to scrap the Lesser Duty Rule which stops the European Commission imposing meaningful tariffs to prevent Chinese dumping.

"Unless the Secretary of State is prepared to join others in Europe and stand up for our industry soon the debate will be over as we will have no industry left to save. We are drowning in this flood of Chinese imports and the US action will only serve to divert more Chinese steel towards Europe."

Mr Rickhuss said he will ask Business Secretary Sajid Javid how he intends to respond as another market is closed off to UK producers already "fighting for survival".