European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has strongly condemned the United States’ recent decision to impose a 25% tariff on European steel and aluminum exports. In a statement addressing the policy shift, she expressed deep regret and warned that the European Union (EU) would not let these tariffs go unanswered.
“Tariffs are taxes—bad for business, worse for consumers,” von der Leyen stated, emphasizing that these measures would trigger “firm and proportionate countermeasures.” She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to safeguarding its economic interests, vowing to protect workers, businesses, and consumers from what the Commission views as unjustified U.S. actions.
Trump’s Tariff Expansion and the Global Trade Impact
I deeply regret the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminum exports.
The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests.
We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers ↓
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 11, 2025
On February 10, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a substantial increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S., raising the rate to 25% across the board. This marks a significant escalation from previous policies, as it eliminates country-specific exceptions and product-specific exclusions that had been in place under earlier tariff arrangements.
The new tariffs, set to take effect on March 4, will impact steel and aluminum imports from major trading partners, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea, and the European Union. Trump framed the move as a necessary step to support struggling U.S. industries, arguing that past exemptions had weakened the effectiveness of protective measures.
The European Commission swiftly rebuked the tariff decision, stating that the EU sees no justification for the imposition of such measures on its exports. The Commission argued that these tariffs contradict the principles of transatlantic trade, which relies on deeply integrated supply chains between the U.S. and the EU.
The EU further emphasized that tariffs function as taxes that will ultimately burden U.S. consumers and businesses, fueling inflation and disrupting global market efficiency. Given the economic ramifications, several EU officials including von der Leyen have hinted at imposing retaliatory tariffs on American goods in response.
Last week, Donald Trump set the stage for the tariff measures he had pledged during his presidential campaign, initially targeting Canada, Mexico, and China—though he later suspended the tariffs for Canada and Mexico.
As Trump pursues an aggressive tariff agenda, experts speculate that further trade restrictions may follow, with potential duties on automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Trump has openly stated that reciprocal tariffs will be applied to all nations imposing duties on U.S. goods, signaling an intensification of his protectionist trade policies.
