Could a row over steel blow up the Tory party?

When Boris Johnson was campaigning for Brexit, he placed much importance on World Trade Organisation rules. The WTO, he’d argue, had an internationally-recognised free trade rule book – which was ready and waiting to be used as a substitute to the European Union system. This is why he could face some very difficult questions next week if he decides to extend tariffs on steel imports in a way that some think flout WTO rules.

Last year the PM ignored advice from the independent Trade Remedies Authority – a trade watchdog which his government created post-Brexit – which wanted him to ditch some of the tariffs currently in place that, they said, weren’t making a meaningful difference anyway. But Johnson extended most of the tariffs, which expire at the end of this month. They’re now expected to be renewed by the government, with the PM writing to seven cabinet ministers last week to alert them of his plans.