Commercial conflict: doubled US tariffs on steel and aluminum apply from now on

The doubling of the import duties to steel and aluminum announced by US President Donald Trump has come into force. Since midnight (local time; 6:01 a.m. CEST), a set of 50 percent has been in effect for imports to the USA – previously it was 25 percent. According to Trump, according to his own statements, wants to correct trade weights and strengthen the domestic industry.

Steel and aluminum imports from Great Britain are excluded, for which, according to the White House, a set of 25 percent continues to apply. The background is a trading pact that the United States has closed with the British.

Trump sealed the step with an arrangement that he signed on Tuesday. The increase in tariffs should make imports difficult and lead to higher prices. Economists expect noticeable effects for consumers – for example when buying cars, kitchen appliances or canned goods.

The United States was the world’s largest steel importer in 2024. According to the US government, the most important countries of origin are Canada, Brazil and Mexico-among the ten largest exporters to the USA is also Germany. According to the German Industry Association of the Stahl industry association, the United States is the most important sales market for the European steel industry. Aluminum is mainly obtaining from Canada, the United Arab Emirates, China and South Korea.

Trump has already imposed or threatened numerous tariffs to force more advantageous trade agreements in his view. Some of them were legally contested – but the new taxes on steel and aluminum are not affected.

So far, it is unclear how the EU will react. The EU Commission had sharply criticized Trump’s announcement on the weekend and threatened a reaction before the summer. As an affront, the procedure is assessed primarily because of the recently intensified negotiations for the settlement of the trade dispute.

According to the latest information from the EU Commission, the talks continued at the beginning of the week and were described as “very constructive”. Another meeting between EU trade commissioner Maros Sevcovic and the US trade officer Jamieson Greer in Paris is planned today.

If Trump stays with the doubled tariffs, the EU could impose against tariffs at short notice. The Member States had already cleared the way for it in April. Among other things, US products such as jeans, motorcycles, beef or citrus fruits could make additional taxes. Measures on industrial and agricultural goods such as cars, sweet potatoes and whiskey are also considered.

More intensive negotiations between the EU and the USA have been running since the first round of the customs announcements from Trump. The EU originally decided on countermeasures in mid-April, but suspended it after Washington granted a 90-day breathing space. This time window should actually be used for negotiations. The EU had already emphasized several times that it would introduce decisive measures against US tariffs if the negotiations fail.