Assofermet urges effective EU response to US tariffs
Italian steel trade association Assofermet is warning that new EU policies in response to tensions with the United States could severely disrupt supply chains and weaken Europe’s manufacturing sector.
“After months of negotiations, the agreement reached between the EU and the US has not resolved the issue of tariffs on steel and aluminium, which have remained at 50% since 4 June … This situation risks generating a massive relocation of exports to Europe, putting pressure on the EU market,” Assofermet says in a note sent to Kallanish.
The association is renewing its appeal to Italian and European authorities to ensure that any new measures remain balanced, proportionate, and effective, protecting not only European steel producers but also downstream users. At stake, the association stresses, is the competitiveness of the European industry and its ability to remain integrated within global trade flows.
The debate on steel is focused on the replacement of the current safeguard system, set to expire at the end of June 2026. The European Commission is to propose a new, allegedly more balanced, trade defence instrument. Assofermet is instead suggesting a mechanism based on annual and quarterly quotas, not tied to specific exporting countries. Such a framework would better balance the protection of Europe’s steel producers with the need to guarantee sufficient supply for EU manufacturing.
The association warns that excessive import restrictions could have “devastating effects” on the European industry, already under strain from high energy costs and the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Earlier this week, the association urged the European Commission to rethink the protectionist and environmental policies currently under discussion, underlining the necessity to ensure a balance between environmental goals, industrial resilience, and the protection of Europe’s metals and steel value chain. Without such a balance, the association warned, the EU risks undermining the competitiveness and sustainability of its own manufacturing base.
Natalia Capra France
Trump doubles tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminium to 50% in trade retaliation
The energy tariff was imposed in retaliation to Trump’s restoration of Section 232 tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium from Canada and Mexico that was announced last month and is slated to go into effect on Wednesday March 12.
Trump announced the increase in tariffs for Canada on Tuesday March 11 on his Truth Social platform, claiming Canada was “one of the highest tariffing nations anywhere in the world.
“I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area [of Minnesota, New York and Michigan.] This will allow the US to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada,” the president said in the post.
Trump also called on Canada to “immediately drop their Anti-American farmer tariff of 250-390% on various US dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous.”
The US president promised additional tariff retaliation against Canada when it announces reciprocal tariffs on trading partners on April 2.
“If other egregious, long time tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2, the tariffs on cars coming into the US which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada. Those cars can easily be made in the USA!” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post.
He reiterated his contention that Canada relies on the US for military protection and “pays very little for national security.”
“We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than $200 billion a year. Why? This cannot continue,” Trump said, restating his call for Canada “to be become the 51st state, a move that make all tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear” and lower taxes for Canadians.
“The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful nation anywhere in the world — And your brilliant anthem, ‘O Canada,’ will continue to play, but now representing a great and powerful state within the greatest nation that world has ever seen,” Trump said.
