International Trade Committee Chair writes to Liz Truss on steel safeguards and trade remedies

• International Trade Committee

This follows the Secretary of State’s decision to overrule the TRA’s recommendation and retain measures protecting the UK steel industry from import surges.

The Committee Chair has called for information on what the steel decision means for the autonomy of the TRA, how much weight the Government will give its recommendations, and for further details on the Trade Remedies framework review.

The Chair has also reiterated an earlier request for details of a review into the Secretary of State’s powers in relation to the TRA.

Angus Brendan MacNeil MP, Chair of the International Trade Committee, said:

"The Secretary of State previously indicated she was looking to ‘strengthen’ her powers over trade remedies, but I’ve had no response to my request for more information on this. Now she has overruled the independent Trade Remedies Authority. Policy in this area seems to be in a remarkable state of flux, and the Government must explain what’s going on.

While the Government may need to extend industry safeguards from time to time, it is important that the recommendations of an independent advisory body are seriously considered. I have written to the Secretary of State requesting clarity on the Government’s intention to extend their powers in this area.”

Further information

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