US tariff doubling cut EU steel exports by 34%, steel body says

By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS, June 4 (Reuters) - EU steel exports to the U.S. have fallen by 34% since Washington hiked tariffs to 50%, with higher duties on derivative products such as washing machines and motorbikes also hitting European demand, steel industry association Eurofer said on Thursday. 

Steel exports to the U.S. fell to 1.94 million metric tons in the three quarters since the Trump administration doubled import tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% a year ago.

European Union producers exported 3.4 million tons to the United States in 2025, compared with 4.1 million tons in 2024 and 4.7 million tons in 2017, Eurofer said.

Eurofer said it was important the EU and the U.S. carried out their trade deal struck last July in full. 

That agreement, struck at President Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland, sets out that the EU should remove its duties on most U.S. goods imports in return for a broad 15% U.S. tariff on EU exports.

It also said the two sides should discuss possible tariff-free steel and aluminium quotas and cooperation to address global overcapacity.

Axel Eggert, Eurofer director general, said the U.S. needs to fulfil its commitment to work with the EU to find a solution.

A further problem EU producers have faced are U.S. tariffs on 'derivative' products, for which the metal content was initially subject to a 50% tariff. Trump even widened the range of products a month after the Turnberry deal.

Trump's administration has since lowered a number of tariff rates, with a proclamation on Monday reducing the rate on some products to 15% for the EU. Still, for fridges, lawn mowers or rail parts, the rate is 25%. 

The EU could suspend some concessions if this does not fall to 15% by the end of the year.  

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Alexander Smith)