UK seeks EU deals on steel and EVs in push for closer economic ties

Agreements would aim to shield British industry from new steel tariffs and stricter rules on electric vehicles due in 2027 Downing Street hopes to secure deals on steel and electric cars with the EU as it seeks to upgrade the post-Brexit economic relationship. Amid economic uncertainty caused by the conflict in the Middle East and strains in relations with the US, Keir Starmer is seeking closer economic ties with the EU. The UK wants agreements on steel and electric vehicles to avoid British industry being disadvantaged by scheduled changes to trade rules. The EU this week agreed trade restrictions on steel imports in response to a glut of artificially cheap Chinese imports that have depressed global prices. The UK, which is one of the EU’s biggest markets, is not the target, but will be hurt by the higher tariffs, which come into force on 1 July. The UK had already announced protection for domestic steel earlier this month: it will slash quotas for tariff-free steel by 60% and impose a 50% tariff on imports above that level from 1 July. Separately, stricter trade rules for electric cars are due to come into force in 2027. The Cabinet Office minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds, told repo