Press releases » Extension of suspension of tariffs is positive outcome in EU-US dispute
Extension of suspension of EU rebalancing tariffs is positive outcome in EU-US dispute
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Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER), said:
"We welcome today's decision by the European Commission to extend the suspension of its rebalancing tariffs on US products until 31 March 2025 in the context of the steel and aluminium dispute. This is a positive outcome that paves the way for resuming the discussions between the EU and the US and continuing negotiations towards a meaningful Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (GSA).
The framework will need to address global non-market excess capacity and carbon intensity in the steel industry - which are the two existential challenges affecting the sector - through close EU-US policy alignment. A structural, long-lasting solution to the Section 232 dispute will be a natural part of such framework. The legal confirmation by the US of the continuation of the Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ) system for EU steel exports is now expected to follow soon".
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A milestone occasion to quickly and effectively restore affordable electricity, to relaunch the
decarbonization and strengthen the international competitiveness of the European steel
industry.
Brussels, 02 December 2025 – Unchanged negative conditions – U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions, economic and geopolitical tensions, protracted weak demand and still high energy prices – continue to weigh on the European steel market. EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook confirms for 2025 another recession in both apparent steel consumption (-0.2%, unchanged) and steel-using sectors (-0.5%, revised from -0.7%). A potential recovery is expected only in 2026 for the Steel Weighted Industrial Production index (SWIP) (+1.8%, stable) and for apparent steel consumption (+3%, slightly revised from +3.1%) – although consumption volumes would still remain well below pre-pandemic levels. Steel imports retained historically high shares (27%), while exports plummeted (-9%) in the first eight months of 2025.
Fourth quarter 2025 report. Data up to, and including, second quarter 2025
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
