On March 12, the USA imposed new import tariffs on European products, including an increased tariff on – products made of – aluminium and steel. The proposed measures consist of a reintroduction of the tariffs that the first Trump administration imposed in 2018, as well as the introduction of several completely new tariffs on European products.
The EU’s countermeasures consist of two parts: discontinuing the suspension of the 2018 rebalancing measures on the one hand, and imposing a new set of tariffs on the other. The consultation process surrounding the new set of tariffs is in full progress.
New US tariffs on European products
Donald Trump imposed the following trade barriers on March 12:
- An increase in aluminium tariffs from 10% to 25%.
- Reimposing section 232 of the June 2018 tariffs on steel and aluminium products such as steel tubes, wire and tin foil.
- Imposing new tariffs on steel and aluminium products, such as cooking ware or window frames.
- Imposing new tariffs on products that are partially made from steel and aluminium, such as machinery, gym equipment and certain electrical appliances.
EU Response
The EU has reacted by implementing the following import duties:
- The reinstatement of the 2018 countermeasures. These measures were initially suspended until the end of March 2025 but will now take effect again starting in April 2025. This package includes tariffs on a broad range of American products, such as motorcycles, whiskey, tobacco, certain textiles, boats, and many goods made from aluminum or steel.
- The announcement of a new set of tariffs for April 2025.
Potential New EU Tariffs
Although the EU is still consulting with European stakeholders and the final measures are yet to be determined, the EU has already published a “List of products which could be subject to potential measures“. The ongoing consultation aims to select countermeasures that are both effective and proportionate while minimizing harm to European businesses and consumers. The list of potential products is extensive and includes:
- Agricultural products such as dairy, poultry, pork, beef, eggs, fruit, herbs, grains, and vegetable oils.
- Beer, wine, and spirits.
- Textiles, carpets, household products, makeup, soap, and shampoo.
- Various types of wood and paper.
- Electrical appliances.
It remains to be seen which of these products will be included in the final list and to what extent mutual trade restrictions will escalate. Tariffs in global trade can increase costs, which are then passed on to consumers. For Dutch traders, this may result in higher import costs, potentially weakening their competitive position. Moreover, price increases could lead to reduced demand for certain products. It is therefore crucial for Dutch businesses to prepare for the impact of these tariffs on their operations.
This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
More Information
If you have any questions regarding this article, please contact our Trade, Industry, and Logistics specialists.
- Tim Hesselink (th@kneppelhout.nl)
- Joost Wery (jw@kneppelhout.nl)
- Ton Bendermacher (tb@kneppelhout.nl)
- Céline Goedhart (cg@knepplehout.nl)
- Britt van Beveren (bb@kneppelhout.nl)
Further reading
European Commission, 12 March 2025, Commission responds to unjustified US steel and aluminium tariffs with countermeasures, via https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_740
European Commission, 12 March 2025, EU countermeasures on US steel and aluminium tariffs explained, via: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_25_750
European Commission, 12 March 2025, List of products which could be subject to possible measures, via: https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/e9d50ad8-e41f-4379-839a-fdfe08f0aa96/library/9f483239-477f-4f14-8e2a-a09e1edb1f3d/details
