The European Commission sharply criticised the Biden administration on Saturday following President Donald Trump’s announcement to raise US tariffs on imported steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%, marking a major escalation in transatlantic trade tensions. (Related: China-US Trade Truce Frays Over Rare-Earth Dispute, New Tech Sanctions)
In an official statement, a Commission spokesperson said the EU “strongly regrets” the decision, warning that it “adds further uncertainty to the global economy and increases costs for consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The tariff hike, announced Friday during a rally near Pittsburgh, is the latest in a series of aggressive trade moves from Trump, who has sought to protect US manufacturing and punish nations he accuses of undermining American industry. The administration claims the increase will further “secure the US steel industry.” (More about: Trump says he plans to double steel, aluminium tariffs to 50%)
The EU, however, sees it differently. The Commission said it had paused countermeasures to allow time for negotiations, but is now “finalizing consultations on expanded countermeasures” and is prepared to act swiftly.
“If no mutually acceptable solution is reached, both existing and additional EU measures will automatically take effect on July 14 — or earlier, if circumstances require,” the Commission said.
European officials say the new tariffs undermine ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing disputes through diplomacy. The original US steel and aluminium tariffs were imposed under Section 232 national security powers and had sparked significant backlash globally, including threats of tit-for-tat tariffs on US goods. (Related: China Slams US Defense Chief Over Shangri-La Dialogue Speech, Calls Remarks ‘Provocative and Defamatory’)
With the EU’s warning now on the table, the transatlantic trade relationship once again finds itself on edge, just as both sides had hoped to reset relations and avoid the trade fights that defined Trump’s first term.
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