Steel shipments from the European Union to the United States have dropped by 34% following Washington’s decision to raise tariffs to 50%, according to the steel industry association Eurofer, which released the findings Thursday.
The decline occurred over three quarters after the Trump administration increased import duties on steel and aluminum from 25% approximately one year ago, bringing total shipments down to 1.94 million metric tons.
European Union manufacturers sent 3.4 million tons to the United States in 2025, a decrease from 4.1 million tons in 2024 and 4.7 million tons in 2017, according to Eurofer’s data.
The industry group emphasized the importance of fully implementing the trade agreement reached between the EU and US last July.
The deal, negotiated at President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course in Scotland, outlines that the EU would eliminate duties on most American goods imports in exchange for a comprehensive 15% US tariff on EU exports.
The agreement also calls for discussions between both parties regarding potential tariff-free steel and aluminum quotas and collaboration to tackle global overcapacity issues.
“The U.S. needs to fulfil its commitment to work with the EU to find a solution,” said Axel Eggert, Eurofer director general.
EU manufacturers have also encountered difficulties with US tariffs on ‘derivative’ products, where the metal components were initially hit with a 50% tariff. Trump expanded the scope of affected products one month following the Turnberry agreement.
The Trump administration has subsequently reduced several tariff rates, with Monday’s proclamation lowering rates to 15% for certain EU products. However, items such as refrigerators, lawn mowers, and rail components still face a 25% rate.
The EU may withdraw certain concessions if the rate doesn’t decrease to 15% by year’s end.
