Steel tariffs have been a longstanding issue with the UK. And I’m somewhat sympathetic to both sides of the argument at least when it comes to the UK (not China). But I can’t think of a worse time for Biden to decide to screw American steelworkers and throw away whatever’s left of the Rust Belt. 

Then again Biden has already screwed miners and coal miners so why not screw steelworkers too. It’s not like Pennsylvania is a swing state.

The U.S. and U.K. struck a trade accord Tuesday that will remove U.S. tariffs on British steel and aluminum, while the U.K. will lift levies on American whiskey, motorcycles and tobacco.

Biden administration officials said the agreement with the U.K. will allow the U.K to ship “historically-based sustainable volumes” of steel and aluminum products to the U.S. without levies imposed under the former Trump administration.

In exchange, the U.K. will lift retaliatory tariffs on more than $500 million worth of U.S. exports to the U.K., including distilled spirits, farm products and consumer goods.

Somehow I doubt these steelworkers who were celebrating four years ago are cheering now.

Some manufacturers around the country are criticizing President Trump’s decision to impose high tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, saying it could drive up costs and lead to plant closures and layoffs. But in steel country there are celebrations. NPR’s David Schaper reports from Granite City, Ill., where U.S. Steel is restarting a shuttered blast furnace and calling back some 500 workers who’ve been laid off for more than two years.

Not an issue in the Biden economy.