UK Defends Move to Tariff Steel as ‘Not Very Donald Trump’

The UK government defended a decision to hike tariffs on steel imports and cut import quotas, saying it was necessary to protect the domestic industry from “artificially low prices.”

Quota levels for steel imports will be reduced by 60% compared to current arrangements from July 1, and tariffs on steel imports outside of the quota will increase to 50% from 25%, the Department for Business and Trade said late Wednesday in an e-mailed statement.

Justifying a move that UK ministers have long held back on because of Britain’s long-held stance in favor of free trade, Trade Minister Chris Bryant told ...