EUROFER calls for immediate action over 50% US steel duty

The European Steel Association EUROFER is calling on the European Commission to immediately implement the promised “highly effective trade measure” in response to the US decision to increase the overall duty on steel imports to 50%. The organization warns that without urgent action, the European market could be flooded with cheap steel previously destined for the US market.

According to EUROFER estimates, about 27 million tons of steel that were supposed to go to the US may now be redirected to the EU, where imports already account for up to 30% of the market amid weakened demand. The situation is reminiscent of the events of 2018, when the US first imposed tariffs on steel imports, which led to a sharp increase in imports to Europe.

“With the doubling of U.S. blanket tariffs on steel to 50% without exceptions, we expect massive deflection of the 27 million tonnes of steel previously destined for the U.S. towards the European market, just as we saw in 2018 when the first U.S. tariffs were introduced. With global overcapacity at record highs and import penetration in the EU up to 30% in a context of depressed demand, we are being flooded by cheap foreign steel. Without swift action, we will not just be underwater — we will drown. We need the Commission’s promised ‘highly effective trade measure’ as a lifeline, and we need it now. If we wait until 2026, when the current EU steel safeguard expires, much of our industry will already be submerged beyond recovery,” said EUROFER Director Axel Eggert.

In addition, 3.8 million tons of steel exports from the EU to the United States are at risk. According to Eggert, even the highest-quality European products will become uncompetitive under such a duty.

EUROFER calls on the EU and the US to resume negotiations that were suspended in 2024 to work together to counteract global steel overproduction.

As a reminder, on May 30, US President Donald Trump announced at the US Steel plant in Pennsylvania that he would set tariffs on steel imports to the United States at 50%, doubling the current rate to protect the country’s steelmakers. Later, he clarified on social media that the increased tariff rate would take effect on June 4.

WV Stahl emphasizes that this move will put enormous pressure on the European steel industry and marks a new level of escalation in the transatlantic trade conflict.