EUROMETAL voices key industry concerns in high-level EU Consultation on US Tariffs

At the invitation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EUROMETAL took part today in a high-level virtual consultation addressing the implications of the recently announced U.S. tariffs on steel, aluminium, and related derivative products—including those originating from the European Union.

The meeting convened key stakeholders from across the European steel and metals value chain, including EUROMETAL, EUROFER and ESPA. Discussions focused on assessing the expected fallout from the new U.S. protectionist measures and shaping a strategic EU response to ensure the resilience and competitiveness of Europe’s steel industry.

EUROMETAL’s Contribution

Representing Europe’s steel distribution, processing, and trading sectors, EUROMETAL made two key interventions during the consultation:

1. U.S. Downstream and Logistics Impact
EUROMETAL highlighted emerging pressure on U.S. downstream industries and logistics operators, pointing to inflationary trends in imported steel prices and declining transport margins. With the U.S. steel market depending on imports for 25–30% of its needs, the newly announced tariffs risk undermining U.S. industrial competitiveness—contrary to their intended goals. EUROMETAL stressed that this broader context must be taken into account during transatlantic trade negotiations.

2. Strengthening the Steel and Metals Action Plan
While welcoming the European Commission’s Steel and Metals Action Plan (effective 1 April 2025), EUROMETAL called for a broader, more robust strategy to support the EU steel value chain, including:

  • Strategic use of public procurement to prioritise EU-based steel content;
  • Expansion of safeguard and tariff measures to include derivative products under TARIC codes 73, 85, and potentially 84 and 94;
  • Greater support for local manufacturing and innovation, especially in sectors critical to the green transition and EU defence capabilities.

Commission’s Takeaways and Roadmap

President von der Leyen concluded the consultation with a clear set of follow-up actions aimed at reinforcing Europe’s steel sector in response to the evolving global trade environment:

  • Launch of a new Import Surveillance Task Force,
  • Early preparation of post-safeguard measures,
  • Inclusion of steel derivatives in EU trade defence instruments,
  • Reinforced local content requirements,
  • Expanded application of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM),
  • Stronger integration of defence production into the EU industrial strategy.

The official readout from the European Commission further emphasised the sector’s concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs, the risk of trade diversion, and the need to maintain sufficient volumes of scrap for domestic recycling. Industry representatives strongly supported the fast implementation of the Steel and Metals Action Plan and the Clean Industrial Deal, while calling for new trade defence instruments to counter potential deflection of exports from other major steel-producing nations.

EUROMETAL will remain actively engaged with EU decision-makers in the weeks ahead as the Steel and Metals Action Plan is rolled out and additional measures are developed. Our continued focus is to ensure that Europe’s steel value chain remains resilient, innovative, and globally competitive in an increasingly uncertain trade environment.