Cheap Chinese steel 'set to flood UK if trade measures removed'

The warning comes after the Trade Remedies Authority recommended the removal of protections aimed at stopping imports of cheap metals crushing UK producers

UK Steel has warned of the impact on UK industry

A flood of cheap Chinese steel could be dumped on Britain if the government accepts a recommendation to scrap trade protections, experts warned today.

The Trade Remedies Authority has advised the removal of measures to limit quantities of a product called HFP rebar - also known as reinforcing steel - imported into the UK.

It says UK companies using the material will benefit from reduced costs.

Receive a daily morning political briefing straight to your inbox.Sign up for the free Mirror Politics newsletter

But the stance sparked outrage from trade body UK Steel, who claimed it would be "not only illogical, but actually a recommendation that actively acts against the UK steel industry".

The UK steel industry directly employs 33,700 workers

He said China "has the capacity to overwhelm and wipe out British industry very quickly".

Removing the measures "would put hundreds of jobs at risk in parts of the country the government is meant to level", UK Steel added.

The organization's furious chief executive, Gareth Stace, said: "TRA's message today is that we should open the floodgates to undervalued Chinese steel and welcome it with open arms to threaten British jobs, British industry and the British economy.

"Perhaps the current heat wave has affected TRA's thinking, as this advice to the government certainly boggles the mind.