During the steel crisis of 2015 and 2016, Chinese over-capacity caused by subsidies triggered a global slump in prices

British jobs would be put at risk by government plans not to match the EU’s tough stance on dumped imports after Brexit, the steel industry has warned.

The government this week outlined its plan for a trade remedies authority, to investigate claims about imports unfairly priced below what they cost to produce. However, an official said that it would not toughen its trade defence measures even if the EU 27 do.

The body that represents steel producers has warned that this could threaten jobs by making the UK a soft touch for Chinese steel that is sold below its cost of production.

The UK has been the mainstay of attempts to prevent the EU taking a tougher stance on Chinese steel. After Brexit, it is