Steel Industry

Oral Answers to Questions — Wales – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 March 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Tom Pursglove Tom Pursglove Conservative, Corby 12:00, 14 March 2018

What recent discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the future role of the Welsh steel industry in the UK steel supply chain.

Photo of Alun Cairns Alun Cairns The Secretary of State for Wales

We are working with the sector, the unions and devolved Administrations to support the UK steel industry to develop a long-term viable solution. We are deeply disappointed by the US announcement and are taking all possible action to support the industry.

Photo of Tom Pursglove Tom Pursglove Conservative, Corby

The steelworks in Corby is part of a comprehensive steel supply chain that involves sites in Wales. Further to the conversations the Secretary of State has been having in Wales, what discussions is he having with UK Government Ministers about how we can best support the UK steel industry as a whole?

Photo of Alun Cairns Alun Cairns The Secretary of State for Wales

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the work he is doing to support the steel industry. He was at the forefront of the debate two years ago when the steel industry was facing a particular crisis, and it is through his influence, with others, that we have introduced an energy compensation scheme, flexibility over EU emissions targets and 45 trade defence measures to prevent illegal steel dumping in Europe. His influence is pretty strong in this debate.

Photo of Stephen Kinnock Stephen Kinnock Labour, Aberavon

Is the Secretary of State aware that when President Bush introduced steel tariffs in 2002 it led to 200,000 job losses in the US? What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that American politicians, employers and trade unions are pressing President Trump to drop these utterly self-defeating tariffs?

Photo of Alun Cairns Alun Cairns The Secretary of State for Wales

We have said that we disagree with the statements the President has made. I was in the US just two weeks ago, and I spoke to our ambassador and the UK’s trade commissioner about this issue. I subsequently met the US ambassador here in the UK and I spoke again, just last Friday, to the UK trade commissioner in the US. This is a cross-Government effort. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Trade is travelling to the US as we speak to pursue and raise these issues. There has been a whole cross-Government approach to this issue and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has raised it directly with the President.