UK government to boost its powers to tackle unfair trade

But earlier this month, after a lengthy reappraisal, it decided the duties should be extended after all, a move welcomed by ministers as protecting the steel industry from unfair competition. On Thursday, the government cited post-Brexit powers to protect industries from Chinese dumping of steel as one of the key areas where ministers would gain greater discretion, and the proposed changes empower them to break with TRA recommendations.

The British government plans to play a bigger role in tackling unfair trade practices, it said on Thursday, reducing the role of an independent body set up after Brexit to adjudicate trade disputes.

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) was established in 2021 to exercise Britain's new powers to police trade and investigate unfair practices after the country left the European Union. But trade minister Kemi Badenoch announced new proposals on Thursday to change how the system works.

"The proposals I am announcing today maintain the TRA’s expert independent analytical and investigative role, while also giving ministers greater power to look at wider public interest considerations," she said in a statement. The new proposals come after a U-turn in the approach to the dumping of Chinese reinforcement steel in Britain.

Last July, the TRA recommended that anti-dumping measures on the reinforcing steel - known as HFP Rebar - should be dropped. But earlier this month, after a lengthy reappraisal, it decided the duties should be extended after all, a move welcomed by ministers as protecting the steel industry from unfair competition.

On Thursday, the government cited post-Brexit powers to protect industries from Chinese dumping of steel as one of the key areas where ministers would gain greater discretion, and the proposed changes empower them to break with TRA recommendations. Badenoch said the government would have the "flexibility to make decisions that balance the interests of UK producers, importers and consumers," adding the changes would also allow ministers "to apply an alternative remedy from that recommended by the TRA."

"This will only be where justified and in line with the evidence provided," she said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)