The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has announced adjustments to the list of developing countries eligible for exemptions and changes to the tariff rate quotas (TRQs) applied under the safeguard measures on steel products.
Overview of the UK’s Steel Safeguard Review
Table of Contents
On February 28, 2025, the TRA initiated a review after data indicated significant changes in market conditions since the original safeguard measures were imposed, including variations in import volumes from certain developing countries. The review focuses on 14 categories of steel products, as detailed in the accompanying documents.
Key Proposed Adjustments
Following its investigation, the TRA proposed several key adjustments:
1. Revisions to the List of Exempted Developing Countries
Six developing countries — Vietnam, China, India, the UAE, Greece, and Turkey — are proposed to be removed from the exemption list.
Each of these countries exceeded the 3% import share threshold into the UK during the investigation period (January 1 – December 31, 2024) compared to the baseline period (2017–2019).
2. Changes to Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs)
TRA’s review found that quotas for steel categories 5, 16, 17, and 21 were fully utilized in at least one quarter of the investigation period. With rising global steel demand and supply pressures in the UK, the TRA recommended the following revisions:
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Unused quota cannot be rolled over to the next quarter.
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Countries with country-specific quotas cannot use leftover quotas in the final quarter.
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From October 1, 2025, a cap will apply to remaining quota volumes:
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Category 4: 40%
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Category 7: 40%
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Category 13: 40%
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3. Revised Quota Allocation for Vietnam
| Steel Category | Current Allocation (Imports 2022) | Proposed Allocation (Imports 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1A – Hot Rolled Sheets and Strips (Non-Alloy and Other Alloys) | Exempt (0%) | Quota remainder (4.3%) |
| 1B – Hot Rolled Sheets and Strips (Permitted Use) | Exempt (0%) | Global quota (4.3%) |
| 5 – Organic-Coated Steel Sheets | Quota remainder (8.7%) | Exempted (2.2%) |
Public Consultation and Feedback Procedure
The TRA invites stakeholders to submit comments on the final report no later than 23:59 (UK time) on May 26, 2025, through the Trade Remedies Service platform:
https://www.trade-remedies.service.gov.uk/accounts/login/?next=/dashboard/
or via email to: TQ0066@traderemedies.gov.uk
Each submission should include both a confidential version and a public summary.
WTO member countries affected by these adjustments and seeking consultations with the UK may send requests via the UK Delegation in Geneva, following Article 12.3 of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards. Consultations will be held via MS Teams.
Contact Information
Department of Trade Remedies, Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) – Vietnam
23 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
Contact officers: Nguyen Viet Ha (hanv@moit.gov.vn), Nguyen Yen Ngoc (ngocny@moit.gov.vn)