PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer declined today to hit back at tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump targeting the British metals industry.

But he did not rule out eventually responding in kind to what has been seen as a snub from a president he has done everything possible to appease.

He told MPs:  “I am disappointed to see global tariffs in relation to steel and aluminium, but we will take a pragmatic approach.

“We are negotiating an economic deal which covers and will include tariffs if we succeed. But we will keep all options on the table.”

He had been challenged by Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to back Canada in its trade stand-off with the US and “be more robust with President Trump.”

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit Washington next week to try to strike a new economic deal with the protectionist administration, which may include getting the tariffs lifted.

A Downing Street spokesman noted that the British Chambers of Commerce had warned against a “tit-for-tat tariffs spiral,” which could cause more damage to the British economy.

The tariffs, imposed worldwide, will affect British steel and aluminium exports to the US.  

Community union assistant general secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said: “These US tariffs on UK steel exports are hugely damaging and they threaten jobs.

“For the US it’s also self-defeating, as the UK is a leading supplier of specialist steel products required by their defence and aerospace sectors.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our government must act decisively to protect the steel industry and its workers following the announcement of US tariffs.

“This is a matter of national security. Steel should be immediately designated as critical national infrastructure to properly protect it.”

GMB national officer Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said the tariffs are “potentially disastrous for all sides.”