STEEL unions warned today that European Union plans to impose 50 per cent tariffs pose an “existential” threat to the industry and called for radical action by the government.

The European Commission has proposed doubling steel levies to match those that US President Donald Trump previously imposed on the EU.

It also plans to cut tariff-free import volumes by 47 per cent to 18.3 million tons a year. The bloc is currently the destination for 78 per cent of British steel.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “UK steel must be backed for the long term — the current piecemeal approach to our steel industry isn’t working.

“Without delay, the UK must introduce strict rules to ensure that all UK infrastructure developments and all public-sector projects must use domestically produced steel.

“This must be the first step in protecting a foundation industry which is critical for the economic success of our nation and vital for our national security.”

Community assistant general secretary Alasdair McDiarmid warned that the proposals “represent an existential threat to our industry, as well as the thousands of jobs and communities it supports right across the country.”

He urged the government to act “swiftly to negotiate preferential treatment for the UK” and tighten trade defence measures.

“Steel is the lifeblood of communities across the UK: it provides well-paid employment and supports regional economies,” he added.

“Global overcapacity is a shared challenge and it is in both the UK and the EU’s interests to work together to find a solution.”

GMB national officer Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said: “These tariffs are a hammer blow to UK steel industry as EU is our main export market.

“The government must act swiftly to ensure the UK is given the appropriate quotas. This could be the end of steel-making in the UK if proper safeguards aren’t secured.”

UK Steel director-general Gareth Stace said: “This is perhaps the biggest crisis the UK steel industry has ever faced.”

Industry Minister Chris McDonald pledged: “We will always defend our critical steel industry, which is why we are pushing the European Commission for urgent clarification of the impact of this move on the UK.

“It’s vital we protect trade flows between the UK and EU and we will work with our closest allies to address global challenges, rather than adding to our industries’ woes.”