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The British government said that he was convinced that he would guarantee enough raw materials to maintain the British Steel stoves, in the first sign that the immediate crisis engulfing the company is trying.
The ministers were concerned about the fact that the Chinese owner of British Steel, Jingye, planned to close the ovens after discussions between the two parties on a taxpayer support package broke down at the end of last week. The closure of the two ovens by British Steel in Scanthorpe would leave the United Kingdom as the only G20 country without the possibility of making steel from zero.
But a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday that two expeditions of iron, coke and coal ore were in the port in Immingham on the Humber estuary. A third was on the way, currently off the coast of West Africa.
“We are now confident to be able to secure enough materials to keep the high burning high people,” they said.
The operational teams were on Monday afternoon, still evaluating whether Jingye de Inactive’s decision one of the two ovens this week could be avoided, they added.
The government ran to obtain essential raw materials after adopting emergency legislation on Saturday to take control of British Steel.
The British steel saga has sparked an increasing reaction against Chinese investments in the British economy. Affairs Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said on Sunday that there would be areas where the British government would not welcome Chinese investors.
“I think we have to be clear about the kind of sector where, in fact, we can promote and cooperate, and those frankly where we cannot.”
Downing Street said on Monday that there was no current plan for a wider examination on Chinese investments.
“We already have a very rigorous examination system, in particular with regard to our energy sector – all investments are subject to the highest national security check,” said the spokesperson. “We are going to adopt a coherent, long -term and strategic approach to China.”
The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the United Kingdom on Monday to treat its companies fairly and avoid politicizing trade between the two countries.
“We hope that the British government will treat Chinese invested companies in the United Kingdom in a fair and impartial manner, will protect their legitimate rights and interests and avoid politicizing or going beyond the concept of security in economic and commercial cooperation,” said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Monday of Beijing.
Otherwise, Lin added: “This could undermine the confidence of Chinese companies in investment and cooperation in the United Kingdom”.
Jingye did not respond to several requests for comments concerning the potential takeover of the British steel government.
British Steel said on Monday that he appointed Allan Bell, its commercial director, as an interim managing director with immediate effect. The appointments were approved by Reynolds to endure “coherent and professional leadership on the SCUTHORPE site of British Steel”, according to the company.