Excellent work by the FT again, revealing the reasons that the US has suspended steel tariffs for the EU but not the UK.
It seems the US doesn’t trust the British government. That’s about it really.
The details are that Washington is worried, as is the EU, that the British government will tear up the NIP and invoke Article 16.
This would lead to all sorts of consequences, including endangering the peace process. This is something that Brussels and Washington really worry about, although apparently London is totally unconcerned.
Meanwhile the British steel industry is facing huge hurdles, it has tariffs on its exports to the US that neither American nor EU producers do.
Trust isn’t an optional extra or the icing on the cake. It is the foundation of international relations and once it is gone it is very difficult to get back.
Trust matters, ask the steel industry.
Economics, trade and Brexit, not necessarily in that order but the dog always comes first.
"...although apparently London is totally unconcerned."
This has consistently been the policy in Westminster since 1921.