UK govt backs steel industry amid tariff threat

LONDON, Feb 16 (AFP): The UK government on Sunday announced a multi-billion-pound plan to protect Britain's steel industry, as it faces looming US trade tariffs.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour administration said it was stumping up to o2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) to help support the sector.

It also launched a consultation looking at how to "protect the steel sector from unfair trading practices abroad" and reduce high electricity costs. "The UK steel industry has a long-term future under this government," Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said in a statement.