Eurofer Demands “Strong New Trade Measure” to Counter US Tariff Expansion

Eurofer, the body representing the European steel industry, has issued a powerful call for a “strong new trade measure” to defend EU manufacturing from the escalating threat of US tariffs. The demand comes as Washington considers expanding its list of “derivative” goods, a move that Eurofer warns could jeopardize not only the steel sector but the entire European industrial base.
The crisis has deepened significantly since the US began applying punitive tariffs not just to raw steel, but to a wide range of products that contain it. An initial list of 407 categories, from heavy machinery to furniture, is already in effect. Now, a new US consultation, ending September 29, is widely seen as a vehicle for adding even more items to this list.
This policy of a “rolling” and unpredictable list is injecting chaos into the market. It undermines the stability that businesses rely on, making investment and planning fraught with risk. Industry leaders have described the relationship with the US as “turbulent” and the interpretation of trade deals as “strange.”
The on-the-ground consequences are already evident. In one instance, a German motorcycle manufacturer has resorted to over-declaring its steel content in customs forms. This costly strategy is seen as the only way to avoid the even more damaging risk of a 200% fine for an unintentional reporting error.
Eurofer’s call to action reflects a belief that the current situation is unsustainable. The organization argues that the US policy threatens millions of quality jobs across Europe. Its demand for a new defensive measure highlights the growing consensus that the EU must act decisively to counter Washington’s unpredictable and damaging trade strategy.