Swann Facilitates Steel Talks to Protect South Antrim Jobs

Robin Swann MP has brought together South Antrim steel firms and senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade to address their concerns from the damaging steel tariffs and quotas in an effort to protect local import and manufacturing businesses.

The meeting, facilitated by Mr Swann, brought together major local employers including Hannon Steel, Hy-Ten, Impact Ireland Metals and Aalco. The local firms highlighted the severe "double hit" facing Northern Ireland businesses, which are caught between existing EU trade measures and UK steel quotas.

The business leaders were able to directly warn the officials that without urgent action, inflated costs and restrictive import quotas present a real threat to local jobs, the wider manufacturing sector and long-term company viability.

Following the meeting, the South Antrim MP said:

"Our steel and manufacturing sectors are hugely important to the local economy, but businesses are being squeezed from both sides. Facing a double impact from EU and UK tariffs alongside UK quota restrictions is pushing local firms to the limit.

"I brought our key local steel companies directly to officials at the Department for Business and Trade so they could hear firsthand the reality on the ground. Without pragmatic solutions, we are looking at a genuine threat to skilled jobs, the supply chain and the viability of businesses that have operated here for decades.

"This meeting was an important first step, but we need concrete answers from DBT. I am now seeking written responses from the Department to the specific technical and regulatory queries raised by the local companies.

"I am also seeking urgent meetings with the Business Secretary and the new Northern Ireland Secretary of State to press for immediate change of course. Northern Ireland cannot be left as collateral damage, and I will continue to work for a solution that protects our local workforce and industry."