FirstFT: Brexit fears hold back US-UK trade deal

FirstFT: Brexit fears hold back US-UK trade deal

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The US is delaying a deal to remove Trump-era tariffs on UK steel and aluminium because Washington is concerned about London’s threats to change post-Brexit trading rules in Northern Ireland.

Brussels and Washington have repeatedly warned London that unilaterally changing the EU-UK accord that sealed Britain’s exit from the bloc in 2020 could threaten peace on the island of Ireland.

In a communication seen by the Financial Times, a US commerce department official stated that talks on easing metals tariffs could not move ahead because of US concerns at British threats to trigger Article 16, a safeguard clause in the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol.

The clause overrides part of the UK’s exit with the EU and would suspend checks on goods travelling to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Have you been affected by the tariffs on steel and aluminium? Let us know at [email protected]. Thanks for reading FirstFT Europe/Africa — Jennifer

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