UK Steel Industry Faces Crossroads Amid Import Debate at Metals Expo Panel

UK Steelmakers Urge Stronger Defences Amid Declining Market Share

The UK steel industry took center stage at a recent carbon steel market panel during the UK Metals Expo, where industry leaders debated trade defence measures and import safeguards. As domestic demand weakens and imports grow, the discussion spotlighted rising concerns about the sustainability and competitiveness of UK steelmaking.

According to Tata Steel UK’s Nathan Lawrence, domestic steel demand has stayed weak since mid-2022, driven by economic instability and high interest rates. Despite this, a live survey of panel attendees showed that 58% expect demand to stabilize within three to six months. Only 15% foresee further decline, suggesting a cautiously optimistic outlook.

Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, warned that UK producers now supply just 30% of the domestic market—calling this level “unsustainable.” He pointed to the US and EU, where robust trade policies help domestic mills supply 70–80% of local demand. He argued the UK must adopt similar strategies to revive its industrial base.

Debate Over UK Steel Imports and Trade Policy Heats Up

The panel’s debate intensified around the future of UK import safeguards, which are due to expire in June 2025. Industry representatives argued over whether continued protections are essential for domestic producers or harmful to steel consumers needing competitively priced imports.

Tom McDougall of All Steels Trading emphasized that competitive pricing is key for UK manufacturers, especially as demand softens. He claimed high manufacturing and labor costs—not just imports—make domestic production less attractive. Still, others like Lawrence stressed the need for “high bars to entry” to allow domestic firms to invest in long-term growth and innovation.

Godfrey Watt of the International Steel Association added that recent tariff changes introduced with little notice cost UK businesses over £20 million. He argued that import competition helps end-users and that the market’s problems stem from weak demand—not cheap imports. In his view, “competitive” should replace “unfair” in the public conversation around imported steel.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The UK steel industry is at a critical decision point as the June 2025 deadline for safeguard measures nears. Rising imports and stagnant demand challenge the sector’s resilience. While stronger protections could preserve local production capacity, ignoring the price-sensitive needs of end-users may cause further economic friction. Strategic clarity is now essential—whether the UK chooses to lean into open-market competitiveness or build a resilient, domestically anchored supply chain. Other regions have acted decisively. The UK must do the same—or risk further decline in its industrial self-sufficiency.