Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, promised on Tuesday that the US president’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum goods” will not go unresolved.”
According to AFP information agency,” I greatly regret the US’s decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports.”
” Unfair taxes on the Euro will not go unaddressed; they will impose strong, equal countermeasures.” The EU likely take steps to protect its financial goals. We will defend our personnel, businesses and consumers”, she added.
Trump authorized executive orders enacting 25 % tariffs on steel and aluminum goods successful March 12 despite warnings from Western and Chinese authorities.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic criticised the decision stating that it was” a lose–lose scenario”, warning that tariffs were “economically counterproductive”.
” By imposing taxes, the US will be taxing its own people, raising prices for its own company, and fuelling cpi”, Sefcovic told the EU congress France.
Earlier in an administrative order, Trump asserted:” As of March 12, 2025, all imports of copper articles and generic metal articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, and the UK shall be subject to the more ad valorem tariff”.
Trump issued a distinct order on steel taxes, extending them to Brazil, Japan, and South Korea, in addition to the states currently targeted under the metal taxes.
He even hinted at more industry measures, suggesting possible more customs duties on cars, pharmaceuticals, and computer chips.
Trump imposed similar tariffs on steel and aluminum exports during his first term in office, prompting the European Union to impose additional duties.
The decision was also criticized by the American Chamber of Commerce in the EU, warning that it would “have a wide-reaching and overwhelmingly negative impact on jobs, prosperity, and security on both sides of the Atlantic.”
