The United Kingdom is on the brink of becoming the first G7 nation without its own steel production facilities, as the Chinese steel group Jingye, which owns British Steel, plans to close two blast furnaces in England. This move jeopardizes 2,700 jobs and marks the end of a 150-year legacy of steelmaking in the country. Jingye attributes the closure to President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States, arguing that the tariffs have significantly impacted the financial sustainability of the blast furnaces and steelmaking operations. Sarah Jones, the energy minister, highlighted the national security implications of the decision, noting the strategic importance of steel in defense and infrastructure projects. Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of the Community union, urged Jingye and the government to resume negotiations to prevent the worst outcomes. The situation underscores the broader international repercussions of trade policies, with Trump’s tariffs leading to retaliatory measures from Europe and potential shifts in the steel industry across nations.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/united-kingdom-could-only-g7-nation-not-produce-its-own-steel-chinese-owner-blames-trump-tariffs