The European Commission has launched an information gathering exercise to gauge stakeholder feedback on possible retaliatory measures to US tariffs, which could impact US steel pipe supply to the EU.
The Donald Trump administration implemented the 25% blanket tariff on US steel imports on 12 March, as expected, Kallanish notes.
The EU has announced countermeasures worth €26 billion ($28.3 billion), to be implemented in two stages. From 1 April, the Commission will allow to lapse the suspension of existing 2018 and 2020 countermeasures worth €8 billion against certain US products. From 13 April, the EU will apply a new package of countermeasures impacting €16 billion of US-origin imports.
Among the products proposed for inclusion in these measures are various HS code 7302 rail products, 7304 seamless pipe products and 7305 and 7306 welded pipe classifications. The overall tonnages are, however, low.
According to Eurostat data, the EU imported up to 22,172 tonnes of these products from the US in 2024, up 53% on-year. The value of imports was €82.4 million ($89.7m), up 43%.
Stakeholders have until 26 March to respond to the proposals, after which the Commission will assess the input and then finalise its draft implementing act and consult its Member States.
The US tariffs will affect a total of €26 billion of EU exports, which corresponds to approximately 5% of total EU goods exports to the US. Based on current import flows, this will result in US importers having to pay up to €6 billion in additional import tariffs, the Commission says.
“We deeply regret this measure,” Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in response to the US tariffs being implemented on Wednesday. “We will always remain open to negotiation … We are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I have entrusted Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to resume his talks to explore better solutions with the US.”
The EU previously extended its suspension of countermeasures on US products in December 2023, to provide time to find an agreement on the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (GASSA). This agreement, widely touted by the EU’s steel industry, is now presumably dead in the water.
Adam Smith Poland
