Brussels, 4 June 2026: One year after the United States imposed 50% tariffs on steel imports, European steel exports to the U.S. are down by one-third according to latest figures by the European Steel Association (EUROFER).

The new data published today shows EU steel exports to the U.S. fell by 34% year-on-year over the three quarters following the introduction of last year’s tariffs, dropping from 2.93 million tonnes to 1.94 million tonnes.

The tariffs, that came into force on 4 June 2025 and were later extended to additional steel-intensive downstream products (‘derivative products’), continue to weigh heavily on European steel producers and wider manufacturing value chains. Steel and aluminium remain the only sectors still subject to 50% U.S. tariffs.

The figures come as EU governments last week approved legislation implementing the EU-U.S. trade arrangement. It includes safeguard provisions allowing the European Commission to suspend parts of the agreement if the U.S. continues applying tariffs above 15% beyond the end of 2026 on steel- and aluminium- derivative products that became subject to U.S. tariffs after 4 June 2025.

The agreement also foresees discussions between the EU and U.S. on possible solutions for steel and aluminium intensive products, including tariff-rate quota arrangements and cooperation to address global overcapacity.

Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER), said: “One year on and the impact is clear: these tariffs are choking European steel exports to the U.S. and meaningful market access remains unresolved. Strong transatlantic cooperation remains in the interest of both sides, but we are still far from restoring balanced steel trade conditions. The U.S. must now deliver on its commitment to work with the EU to find a solution for steel, aluminium, and steel-containing products that protects both markets from overcapacity while ensuring secure supply chains between them, including through tariff-rate quota solutions. As long as there is no such solution, the agreement is worth nothing for the EU steel industry.’’

Notes for editors

Contact
David French, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, +32 2 738 79 35, (d.french@eurofer.eu)

About the European Steel Association (EUROFER)
EUROFER AISBL is located in Brussels and was founded in 1976. It represents the entirety of steel production in the European Union. EUROFER members are steel companies and national steel federations throughout the EU. The major steel companies and national steel federation of Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom are associate members.

The European Steel Association is recorded in the EU transparency register: 93038071152-83.

About the European steel industry
The European steel industry is a world leader in innovation and environmental sustainability. It has a turnover of around €215 billion and directly employs around 298,000 highly-skilled people, producing on average 146 million tonnes of steel per year. More than 500 steel production sites across 22 EU Member States provide direct and indirect employment to millions more European citizens. Closely integrated with Europe’s manufacturing and construction industries, steel is the backbone for development, growth and employment in Europe.

Steel is the most versatile industrial material in the world. The thousands of different grades and types of steel developed by the industry make the modern world possible. Steel is 100% recyclable and therefore is a fundamental part of the circular economy. As a basic engineering material, steel is also an essential factor in the development and deployment of innovative, CO2-mitigating technologies, improving resource efficiency and fostering sustainable development in Europe.