The United States and the European Union are reportedly in discussions about introducing new tariffs on steel imports, focused largely on China’s excess steel production. Bloomberg News reported this week that these tariffs would be primarily aimed at imports from China, which allegedly benefit from non-market practices. However, details regarding which other countries might be impacted and the exact tariff levels are still under negotiation.
These new measures are a continuation of discussions between the EU and the Biden administration under the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum (GSA), which they have been deliberating since 2021. Both entities are focused on finalizing an ambitious outcome for the GSA by October 2023.
A commission spokesperson told Reuters that the product of the discussions would certainly follow international obligations to the WTO and others.
“The EU and the US are fully committed to achieving an ambitious outcome for the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (GSA) negotiations by October 2023.”
For context, in 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump had levied duties of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports, aiming to protect American producers. This had triggered a significant trade rift with the EU. By 2021, both parties decided to resolve their differences, agreeing to cooperate on the global arrangement, which would allow certain volumes of EU-produced metals to enter the US without duties while maintaining the contested tariffs.
