The United Kingdom might become the first G7 country to lack its own steel production, with a key steel company attributing the proposed shutdown of its two blast furnaces to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

British Steel, under the ownership of Chinese steel giant Jingye, has announced intentions to close its two blast furnaces in England, as reported by The Telegraph. This decision endangers 2,700 jobs and could mark the end of steel manufacturing in the UK after 150 years. Jingye acquired British Steel in 2020.

Jingye said the “imposition of tariffs” had made the blast furnaces and steel-making operations “no longer financially sustainable”. 

President Donald Trump speaks to an audience.  (Donald Trump/Truth Social)

“Considering we are potentially on the verge of being the only G7 nation without primary domestic steelmaking capabilities, it’s accurate to claim that our national security faces a severe threat,” he remarked.

Trump has fought to keep U.S. Steel in American hands. Nippon Steel, a Japanese company, said it was willing to increase investment in U.S. Steel facilities to $7 billion as it tries to convince Trump thah the Pittsburgh steelmaker would be in good hands with foreign ownership. 

“We are also going to keep U.S. Steel right here in America,” Trump said during a September 2024 campaign rally. 

Trump first opposed the deal in February 2024, but said earlier this year that Nippon would negotiate an investment in U.S. Steel, rather than a purchase, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.