During the 12 March episode of Good Morning Britain, presenter Susanna Reid shared a breaking news update alongside co-host Ed Balls on the ITV morning programme.
Before delving into the US trade war and offering the latest developments on the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on steel and aluminium, Susanna revealed she had some “breaking news”.
The presenter informed viewers: “Breaking news. Trump’s tariffs hit the UK. As a 25 percent levy on all steel and aluminium imports into the US comes into force, the government says it’s disappointing but does not respond with a counterresponse.”
This new measure introduces a uniform 25 percent duty on both metals entering the US, effectively ending all country exemptions on the levies.
Susanna and Ed then cut to ITV’s political correspondent Louisa James in Downing Street, London, for the latest on the situation, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“I think the message from the government here is basically ‘keep calm and carry on.’ Yes, that is despite the fact that the special relationship means absolutely no special treatment for us. When it comes to these tariffs, we’ve had a statement from the business secretary since the tariffs came into force at 4 AM UK time,” Louisa updated GMB viewers.
She then relayed Jonathan Reynolds’ view of the current scenario. His statement read: “We are focused on a pragmatic approach and rapidly negotiating a wider economic agreement with the US to eliminate additional tariffs and benefit UK businesses and our economy. We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest.”
Louisa then explained the government’s stance towards the imposed tariffs, saying: “In other words, we are not going to do what the EU has announced in the last hour or so and hit back with our own tariffs. We’re not going to get into a trade war with the US.”
Further on, she reported that the line from Downing Street remains clear – there will be “no knee-jerk reactions” and it’s important for everyone to stay “cool-headed.”
In conclusion, she noted that even without putting any “positive spin” on the developments, it is “not what the government wants,” and the steel sector has signalled “huge ramifications” for the future.
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays from 6am on ITV1