The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has proposed an increase in the import quota for hot rolled (HR) flat steel due to declining domestic production. This decision follows the closure of a blast furnace at Tata Steel UK's Port Talbot site, which is transitioning to electric arc furnace technology.
The TRA suggests raising the import quota for category 1 steel to 2.9 million tonnes annually. The proposal introduces two categories: Category 1A for commercial applications and Category 1B for downstream processing, with the latter set 89% higher than the former. This aims to stabilize supply chains and manage rising costs for steel users.
