US and UK trade talks took place in Baltimore this week, with discussions including trade dynamics, exports, and current global challenges. Some sources have said that the talks included discussion of a trade deal which would consequently end the current steel tariffs in place.
Britain and the US in January announced efforts to put an end to the Trump-era steel and aluminium conflict. The UK became one of several countries upon which the US imposed an additional 25% tariff on steel and an additional 10% tariff on aluminium in 2018.
According to a report in UK Newspaper The Sun, UK International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan commented that there had ‘definitely’ been a change in approach from US President Joe Biden.
Trevelyan told The Sun that she hoped to sign a full deal before the end of 2024. A post Brexit trade deal with the US will be ‘bigger and chunkier’ than anything we have done before, she stated.
“It’s really great actually - Team Biden have leaned in and want to get going on getting our trade teams talking more fully about the issues that are important to both of us.”
UK International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan
She added: “It’s really great actually - Team Biden have leaned in and want to get going on getting our trade teams talking more fully about the issues that are important to both of us.”
Trevelyan continued, “This is the first crystallising point of that next step”.
However, according to US officials, it isn't likely that the UK and US discussed their disputes over steel and aluminium in Baltimore, as the topic falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce, so it is yet to be seen what concrete negotiations took place. This being said, the officials did note that progress has been made in resolving the disagreement.
Source: The Sun
