European Commission responds to US duties: countermeasures to protect business and consumers

25% duties on steel and aluminium from the EU. Rebalancing measures and new taxes on industrial and agricultural products on the way

US duties on steel and aluminium: EU introduces countermeasures to defend European trade
As of today, 12 March, US duties of 25% on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union and other trading partners come into force. The European Commission promptly responded with a series of countermeasures to ‘protect’ European companies, workers and consumers from the impact of what it calls ‘unjustified trade restrictions’.

The reinstatement of the 2018 and 2020 rebalancing measures
To counter the effect of the duties imposed by the United States, the Commission has reimposed the rebalancing measures that were suspended in 2018 and 2020. As of 1 April 2025, these measures will be fully reinstated. The new duties will affect a wide range of US products, including motorbikes such as Harley Davidsons, boats and bourbon.

New taxes on industrial and agricultural products
By mid-April, further measures will apply to various industrial and agricultural products from the US. Industrial goods subject to the new duties include steel and aluminium products, textiles, household appliances and plastics. In the agricultural sector, the levies will affect poultry, beef, seafood, nuts and other food products.

The UK’s response: no immediate countermeasures
Unlike the EU, the UK decided not to take immediate measures against the US. The UK government, through Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, announced that the UK will focus on a ‘pragmatic approach’ and is negotiating a broader economic agreement with the US to eliminate additional tariffs. Reynolds described the implementation of the tariffs as ‘disappointing’, but stressed that the government will continue to work to protect national interests.

Future prospects
The impact of the measures introduced will be monitored in the coming months, with the possibility of further action being taken if the dialogue between the parties does not lead to concrete results. International trade between the US and Europe is going through a delicate phase, with significant implications for strategic sectors on both sides of the Atlantic.

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