The stringent tariff measures imposed by US President Donald Trump have caused a sharp decline in European steel exports to the world's largest economy.

The stringent tariff measures imposed by US President Donald Trump have caused a sharp decline in European steel exports to the world's largest economy , forcing the industry to call for a more balanced trade agreement between the US and the European Union (EU).

According to official data released by the European Steel Industry Association (Eurofer) on February 20th, EU steel exports to the US fell by as much as 30% in the second half of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. Eurofer asserts that this decline is a direct consequence of Trump's tariff policies. In light of this situation, Eurofer emphasizes that these figures demonstrate the need for a fair, balanced, and enforceable trade agreement between the EU and the US.

In 2025, President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports into the US. Although the US and the EU later reached an agreement imposing a 15% tariff on most EU goods, this agreement did not include steel and aluminum. The situation could worsen when, in August 2025, Trump expanded the scope of the tariffs to hundreds of products containing steel or aluminum. This move directly threatens European manufacturers of machinery and goods with high metal content. Despite appeals from the EU, the US has refused to reduce import tariffs on metals. Instead, the US is demanding that the EU reconsider its approach to digital regulations if it wants tariff reductions – a condition the EU considers unacceptable.

To protect its struggling industry, the EU decided in October 2025 to double tariffs on imported steel. This is part of rescue measures that need to be approved before June 2026, when the current safeguard measures expire.

Eurofer's call comes as the European Parliament's Trade Committee is expected to vote on February 24th on implementing the EU-US agreement. Although the vote was temporarily suspended following warnings from Trump regarding Greenland, the European Parliament now appears ready to approve the agreement, which includes safeguard measures and a review clause.

Source: VTV

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