Stephen Kinnock calls for tougher steel trade defenses

Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock has called for stronger trade protections for the British steel industry, stating he is ‘not at all happy’ with current tariff positions. Speaking at the Labour Party conference, Kinnock noted that domestic producers are being undercut by cheap imports of galvanized steel from countries including Vietnam, Turkey, and South Korea. He highlighted the struggles of Tata Steel’s Llanwern plant in South Wales, which has seen production capacity reduced to approximately 50% due to the influx of foreign imports.

In a separate address at the conference, Kinnock criticized Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, claiming both parties offer the ‘same poison’ by promoting messages that suggest people are ‘safer alone.’ He accused Plaid of ‘separatism’ and Reform of ‘plastic patriotism’ funded by foreign interests. Plaid Cymru leader Liz Saville Roberts responded by suggesting the Labour Party should investigate why it lost significant support in the recent Senedd elections rather than attacking political opponents.