Ministers are under mounting pressure to get US tariffs on British steel axed after the White House scrapped duties on Japanese imports.
American President Joe Biden ’s administration abolished tariffs on EU steel sent across the Atlantic last month.
But Brexit meant the UK was carved out of the deal - despite Britain being part of the bloc when they were imposed in 2018 under Donald Trump.
The latest agreement between Washington and Tokyo to cancel tariffs has triggered fresh calls for the British Government to step up efforts at persuading the US to ditch them for UK steel.
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The Americans agreed last month to open talks aimed at abolishing the duties, which are 25% for steel and 10% on aluminium.
Shadow International Trade Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds called on ministers to “accelerate these negotiations with the United States as a matter of urgency”.
In a letter to International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, seen by the Mirror, he writes: “In the four years since the imposition of the tariffs, Conservative ministers have dithered and delayed, risking workers' job security and the sector's prosperity.”
He warns the deal with Japan, which comes into effect from April, means Japanese steel manufacturers “will also now have a competitive advantage over the sector here in the UK, threatening businesses, jobs and livelihoods”.
“Whilst I recognise the fact that negotiations have begun with the United States to resolve this issue, it still leaves the UK behind the EU and Japan in reaching a solution,” warns the Labour frontbencher.
Speaking to the Mirror, he added: “Ministers have been asleep at the wheel as British steel and aluminium exporters suffer from the tariffs President Trump imposed in 2018.
“Under Boris Johnson, the UK is at the back of the queue for talks.
“The EU and Japan both now have an advantage over UK exporters as their tariffs have already been lifted.
“The Government must now speed up negotiations before any more British jobs, businesses or livelihoods are put at risk.”
UK Steel director-general Gareth Stace said: “This deal between the US and Japan only underlines the importance of the UK and US negotiators arriving at an agreement soon.
“The Japanese steel sector exports far more to the US than the UK sector does, and is far more impactful on the US market.
“This deal means that from April, EU and Japanese suppliers will have an advantage in this high value market over UK producers.
“The UK Government well understands the importance of this to the UK industry and, we’re confident, is making every effort to secure the best deal possible.
“We urge negotiators on both sides to arrive at an agreement that allows UK producers and US customers access to the US market without these punitive tariffs.”
Community steelworkers’ union national officer Alun Davies said: "We strongly back the letter to the Trade Secretary and call for urgent action to get Britain to the front of the queue for a tariff-free deal and protect our steel industry.
“The Government urgently needs to strike a deal with the US that will see our steel manufacturers enjoying the same tariff-free access to the US market as their European competitors.
“Our steel industry was already at a competitive disadvantage due to higher electricity prices than our European competitors, and the continuation of these tariffs only worsens the problem."
Ms Trevelyan tweeted it was “Good to see the US taking steps to resolve tariff issues” and that “talks are well underway” on thrashing out a solution to UK tariffs.
She said she looked forward to talks with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo “this week to maintain momentum and discuss a deal that works for our vital steel & aluminium industries”.
A Department for International Trade spokeswoman said: “The International Trade Secretary will be speaking to Secretary Raimondo on Thursday to maintain momentum behind constructive discussions over the last fortnight.
“Until a deal is reached that works for the UK and is in the interests of our steel and aluminium industry, we will continue to apply rebalancing measures on US products.”
The Mirror has been campaigning to Save Our Steel since 2015 when the industry was hit by plant closures and thousands of job losses.
