The United States and the United Kingdom announced the launch of steel and aluminum tariff negotiations

Washington, January 19 (China News Service) -- The United States and the United Kingdom jointly issued a statement on the 19th local time, saying that the two countries have begun formal negotiations on the cancellation of the US tariffs on British steel and aluminum.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and British International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan jointly issued a statement on the same day saying the two sides were committed to "rapid results," which would help protect the steel and aluminum industries of the two countries while strengthening their alliances.

In 2018, the Trump administration imposed tariffs of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminum imported from foreign countries, respectively, on the grounds of "threatening national security.". This move has aroused strong dissatisfaction from the United Kingdom, the European Union and other US allies. Since Biden became using the United States, the policy implemented during the Trump administration has been criticized, but the US media believes that the Biden administration has been "slow to act" in adjusting relevant policies.

Last October, the United States reached an agreement with the European Union to eliminate tariffs imposed on STEEL AND ALUMINUM imports from the European Union during the Trump administration. The European Union has also eliminated countermeasures against U.S. imports, including tariffs on whisky.

For the United States and the United Kingdom to open negotiations, the Distilled Spirits Council issued a statement on the same day, saying that it was a "very positive step". The industry group hopes that negotiations between the two sides will eventually lead to the removal of tariffs imposed on U.S. whiskey by the United Kingdom. Citing data, the industry group said U.S. whiskey exports to the U.K. have fallen by more than half since 2018. (End)

Source: China News Network