Strasbourg, 12 March 2025
Mr Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the International Trade Committee (INTA) in the European Parliament, comments:
“Another week, another dose of self-inflicted tariff pain by the Trump administration. Tariffs are generally bad, but these tariffs are particularly bad: they target US trade partners, they are set arbitrarily, without legal and economic justifications, and they fail to address non-market overcapacity – the main issue steel and aluminium industry across the Atlantic is confronted with.
Our EU-US trade relationship was thriving, healthy, balanced, fair, and sustainable, but we were under no illusion that, after its North American allies, the US would go after us. We are united and ready to respond firmly, fairly and effectively. Trade is an exclusive competence of the Union and Parliament stands fully behind the Commission in its response.
We still believe there is ample room for a positive agenda. Together, we can help shape global standards, expand market access for our firms both reciprocally and globally, tackle global non-market overcapacity, decarbonize industries, address unfair trading practices, and reinvigorate a rules-based trading system. The choice is for the US to make: between further trade chaos and expanded business opportunities. Whatever the choice, the EU is ready.”
Background
In its presidential proclamations from 10 February, President Trump announced the reinstatement of a 25% tariff on steel from the EU, and the increase of the existing 10% tariff on aluminium to also reach 25%. The proclamations also eliminate all alternative agreements and terminate all general approved exclusions.
The original US steel and aluminium tariffs date back from 2018 when the US adopted a tariff increase on imports of certain steel and aluminium products (at rates of 25% and 10%, respectively) and with an unlimited duration. In June 2018, the EU adopted rebalancing measures in reaction to the tariffs. In October 2021, the EU and US agreed to start discussions on a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium and suspend steel and aluminium trade disputes.
The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. EU-US trade in goods and services reached €1.6 trillion in 2023. This means that every day, €4.4 billion worth of goods and services cross the Atlantic between the EU and the US.
Source – EU Parliament
S&D Group supports Commission’s countermeasures and calls for a comprehensive EU response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium
Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, which took effect today, will harm the European steel and aluminium industries – key sectors that support millions of jobs and are already under pressure. In response to these unjustified tariffs, the S&D Group welcomes the European Commission’s countermeasures and reiterates the need for a strong and strategic EU response. At the same time, the S&Ds call for all efforts to prevent further escalation and protect European industries and workers.
It is crucial to respond decisively to shield our industries and workers from these unlawful and damaging tariffs. We therefore call on the EU to use a broad range of its trade defence tools, not only retaliatory tariffs but also non-tariff measures such as anti-coercion mechanisms and WTO procedures.
Kathleen van Brempt, S&D vice-president for international trade and development, said:
“The EU-US trade partnership is the largest in the world, and imposing steep tariffs, such as the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, undermines this long-standing relationship. As a result, it is workers, businesses, and economies on both sides of the Atlantic that pay the price.
“The Commission’s countermeasures are a necessary step to defend European industries and workers against these unjustified US tariffs, and we encourage the Commission to go beyond counter-tariff measures by using the wide range of trade defence tools at our disposal. The EU cannot stand idle while our industries are targeted. By implementing broad measures that maximise pressure on the US while minimizing harm to the EU, we push the US administration back to the negotiating table and secure a fair, rules-based trade relationship that upholds European interests.”
Brando Benifei, S&D coordinator for international trade, said:
“We must act decisively, courageously, and in a united manner. Europe will not back down, and we therefore support the Commission’s countermeasures to protect our workers and economy. However, alongside a firm and proportionate retaliation against this unjustified US action, the Commission must also put in place a robust European strategy to support our industries and enhance their global competitiveness.
“If we do not strengthen our own steel and aluminium industries, we risk long-term damage while allowing the market to be flooded with cheap, high-emission steel imports from third countries. The EU already produces clean and sustainable steel, and by further promoting European steel production, we can help address the issue of global overcapacity while ensuring the resilience of our industries.”
Source – S&D Group
Statement des EU-Abgeordneten Caspary (CDU) zu EU-Gegenzöllen auf US-Produkte
Zur Ankündigung der Europäischen Kommission, Extrazölle auf die Einführung amerikanischer Produkte einzuführen, erklärt Daniel Caspary (CDU), Vorsitzender der CDU/CSU-Gruppe und Mitglied im Ausschuss für Internationalen Handel:
“Dass Präsident Trump seine Zollorgie nun auch gegen Europa richtet, ist ärgerlich und schädlich für beide Seiten. Die Gegenzölle der EU sind daher leider nötig und von der Europäischen Kommission clever gelöst. Diese klaren, verhältnismäßigen Gegenzölle sind der richtige Weg. Die Europäische Union muss ihre wirtschaftspolitischen Interessen verteidigen.
Unser Ziel sind nach wie vor gute Handelsbeziehungen mit den Vereinigten Staaten und im Idealfall ein umfassendes Handelsabkommen.”
Quelle – CDU/CSU-Gruppe (per E-Mail)
BusinessEurope: Additional US tariffs on steel and aluminium are a lose-lose for both sides of the Atlantic
Brussels, 12 March 2025
Reacting to the US announcement, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer, said: “Additional US tariffs on steel and aluminium are a lose-lose for both sides of the Atlantic”.
“It is in our joint interest to reduce the costs of trading and investing across the Atlantic to support investments and jobs in both Europe and the US. This is why imposing tariffs is a lose-lose scenario for both sides.
Europe must now assess the consequences of these actions and be unified in its response. The key priority for the EU is to safeguard its interests, with the ultimate objective of finding a negotiated solution.
It is also essential that the EU diversifies its import and export markets to mitigate risks and become more resilient. Both the Mercosur and Mexico Agreements are good examples of this, and we must all take responsibility and work towards their swift ratification.
At a time of such geopolitical uncertainty, the EU needs to urgently strengthen its economy and competitiveness to protect itself from economic coercion.”
Source – BusinessEurope (by email)