Britain and the United States on Monday agreed to start talks to lift tariffs on Imports of British steel and aluminum imposed by former US President Donald Trump, AP reported. A deal reached between the US and the EU on tariffs has come into force, putting heavy pressure on the UK steel and aluminium industries. Britain's Department for International Trade said a swift resolution was needed to remove the duties in time.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Raymond Raimondo, Trade Representative Catherine Day and British Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevillian said in a joint statement Monday that they will work to reach an agreement as soon as possible to ensure the viability of the steel and aluminum industries in both countries and "strengthen the democratic alliance" between the two countries.

"Our focus is now on reaching a swift resolution that removes these tariffs quickly and clears the way for the growth of our thriving trading relationship," the UK's Department of International Trade said in a statement on Monday.

No date or timetable was given for the talks, but they will cover global steel and aluminium overcapacity, including US tariffs on metals from the UK. The talks are also understood to cover retaliatory tariffs of 25 per cent on US products, including whisky, motorbikes, jeans and tobacco.

The CBI business group welcomed news of the talks, saying it was "vital" that a settlement was reached to relieve pressure on affected industries, especially as inflationary pressures were rising in both countries. "Trade must be a tool for growth. No one will win in a trade war." Andy Burwell, international director of the CBI, said in a statement.

American brewers also want negotiations to end British tariffs on American spirits. Discus President Chris Swanger called the 19 th announcement "a very positive development."

British steel and aluminium exports to the US will continue to be subject to tariffs if the UK government fails to reach a corresponding breakthrough in negotiations with the US, the Guardian reported. The UK steel industry could be set for a trade slump as rivals from the EU gain a 25 per cent price advantage in the huge US market.

In 2018, Trump angered Britain, Europe and other longtime US Allies when he imposed tariffs of 25 percent on foreign steel and 10 percent on aluminum, saying they posed a threat to US national security. While US President Joe Biden has criticised Mr Trump for alienating Allies, he has been slow to lift the metals tariffs since taking office a year ago. In politically important steel states, metal tariffs are popular.

Last year, the Biden administration struck a deal with the EU to lower tariffs on EU metals below new import quotas and continue to tax imports that exceed the new quotas. The European Union lifted retaliatory tariffs on American products, including whiskey.