The European Union will not let the decision by the US to impose import tariffs on European steel go unanswered, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.
“I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports,” she said in a post on X. “Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered.”
US president Donald Trump has ordered a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports, escalating his efforts to protect politically important US industries with levies hitting some of the country’s closest allies.
EU trade ministers have been called to an emergency meeting on Wednesday after Mr Trump’s announcement.
Ministers – including Simon Harris, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade – are due to meet virtually on Wednesday afternoon. They will be briefed by European Commission officials on the EU’s response.
“I welcome the decision for EU Trade Ministers to meet tomorrow,” Mr Harris said.
“It is vital we work closely together and share perspectives and insights. Trading of goods and services creates jobs and growth and is good for our citizens. I look forward to representing Ireland at this meeting.”
Mr Trump’s tariffs will apply widely to all US imports of steel and aluminium, including from Canada and Mexico, the country’s top two foreign suppliers of the metals. The levies, which also include finished metal products, are meant to crack down on what administration officials said were efforts by countries like Russia and China to circumvent existing duties.
Mr Trump cast the effort as one which would help bolster domestic production and bring more jobs to the US, and warned that the rate on metal tariffs “may go higher.” The new rates will go into effect on March 4th, a US official said.
“Essentially, we’re putting on a 25 per cent tariff, without exception, on all aluminium and all steel, and it’s going to mean a lot of businesses are going to be opening in the United States,” Trump said Monday as he signed the measures in the Oval Office.
While the measures unveiled Monday did not include exemptions for trading partners – and US officials said they were wary of granting any leeway – Mr Trump indicated that he may consider a break for Australia, crediting the country’s import of US-made aircraft.
Mr Trump’s move comes on top of new 10 per cent tariffs on goods from China; 25 per cent levies on Canada and Mexico that are currently paused; and his plan to slap reciprocal duties on other nations. The president also reiterated his threat to levy reciprocal tariffs against countries that have levies on US imports, saying those could be announced over the next two days. And he said the administration will be looking at levies on cars and semiconductors, as well as other potential sectors. – Additional reporting Reuters/Bloomberg
