EU Vows to Retaliate Against US Tariffs on Steel and Aluminium
EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen’s Response
BRUSSELS: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Tuesday to retaliate firmly against US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
European Union’s United Front
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said the European Union would present a united front and "act together as the largest market in the world".
Trump’s Decision
Trump signed executive orders to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from March 12, despite warnings from Europe and China.
EU’s Response
"I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports," European Commission president von der Leyen said in a statement. "Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered — they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures. The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers," she added.
EU Trade Chief’s Warning
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said it was "a lose-lose scenario", warning that tariffs were "economically counterproductive".
Tariffs’ Impact
"By imposing tariffs, the US will be taxing its own citizens, raising costs for its own business, and fuelling inflation," he told the EU parliament in Strasbourg, France.
Trump’s Orders
In one executive order, Trump said: "As of March 12, 2025, all imports of aluminum articles and derivative aluminium articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, and the UK shall be subject to the additional ad valorem tariff."
He issued a separate order for steel, which said it would apply to all imports from the same countries the aluminium tariffs hit, as well as to Brazil, Japan and South Korea.
Future Tariffs
The US president indicated further additional customs duties could be on the way for cars, pharmaceuticals and computer chips.
Deja Vu
His latest orders will feel like deja vu for Europe. In 2018, Trump slapped tariffs during his first presidency on steel and aluminium exports — forcing the EU to respond with its own higher duties.
American Chamber of Commerce’s Opposition
The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU also said on Tuesday that it opposed Trump’s decision, warning it would "have a wide-reaching and overwhelmingly negative impact on jobs, prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic".
Conclusion
The EU’s response to Trump’s decision is a clear indication that the bloc will not take the tariffs lying down. The EU’s united front and promise to retaliate firmly against the tariffs will likely lead to a prolonged trade dispute between the two economic powers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the tariffs imposed by Trump?
A: Trump has imposed 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from March 12.
Q: Which countries are affected by the tariffs?
A: The tariffs will apply to imports from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, the UK, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea.
Q: What is the EU’s response to the tariffs?
A: The EU has vowed to retaliate firmly against the tariffs, promising to take firm and proportionate countermeasures to safeguard its economic interests.
Q: What is the impact of the tariffs?
A: The tariffs are expected to have a negative impact on jobs, prosperity, and security on both sides of the Atlantic, according to the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU.