Source: European Parliament
The Commission regrets the decision of the United States (US) to impose tariffs on EU exports of steel and aluminium on 12 March 2025.
The Commission sees no justification for these tariffs on EU steel and aluminium exports. The Commission has emphasised to the US its wish to work together on this and that the EU is not the problem — but is part of the solution.
The Commission’s priority is to avoid disruptions to EU-US trade and to seek negotiated solutions. The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.
In light of the decision by the US to delay by 90 days its country-specific ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on EU exports, the EU has decided to put its countermeasures on EUR 21 billion of US exports on hold for the same length of time.
This gesture of goodwill will give time for negotiations to proceed. If, however, the talks are not satisfactory, the EU countermeasures will come into force on 14 July 2025.
At the same time, the Commission is taking forward its internal policy agenda to boost European competitiveness.