President Donald Trump speaks to supporters throughout a rally on the US Metal-Irvin Works on Could 30, 2025 in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
Jeff Swensen | Getty Photographs
The European Union on Saturday criticized President Donald Trump’s transfer to double tariffs on metal imports, warning that it “undermines” efforts to achieve a “negotiated resolution” within the ongoing commerce struggle.
“We strongly remorse the introduced improve of U.S. tariffs on metal imports from 25% to 50%,” an EU spokesperson mentioned in an announcement to NBC Information.
“This determination provides additional uncertainty to the worldwide economic system and will increase prices for customers and companies on each side of the Atlantic,” the spokesperson continued.
The spokesperson added that the EU is “ready to impose countermeasures, together with in response to the most recent U.S. tariff improve.”
Trump on Friday introduced that he deliberate on doubling tariffs on metal imports to 50% from 25%, rising the stress on producers depending on industrial metals for manufacturing.
The brand new import duties are set to go into impact June 4.
His announcement, made at a rally at U.S. Metal in Pennsylvania, got here after the president signaled earlier this month that he would approve a controversial deal between Nippon Metal and U.S. Metal.
Trump highlighted an “settlement” between Nippon and U.S. Metal in the course of the Friday rally, however mentioned that the deal was not but last.
He mentioned that there can be no layoffs and “no outsourcing in anyway” as a result of deal.
The EU, which mentioned that it had paused its countermeasures in opposition to the U.S. on April 14 “to permit time and area” for negotiations, mentioned it’s ready to instate these measures “if no mutually acceptable resolution is reached.”
“The European Fee is at present finalizing consultations on expanded countermeasures,” the spokesperson mentioned. “If no mutually acceptable resolution is reached, each present and extra EU measures will robotically take impact on 14 July — or earlier, if circumstances require.”
The United Steelworkers union (USW) additionally criticized Trump’s announcement and mentioned it’s a “direct assault on Canadian industries and staff.”
“Hundreds of Canadian jobs are on the road and communities that depend on metal and aluminum are being put in danger,” Marty Warren, United Steelworkers Nationwide Director for Canada, mentioned in a assertion.
“Canada wants to reply instantly and decisively to defend staff.”
