The Reactions of Countries and Regions around the World to the United States' Increase in Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
On February 11th, EU leaders stated that they would take tough countermeasures in response to the United States' decision to impose tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said on the 11th that she deeply regretted the US decision to impose additional tariffs on EU steel and aluminum product exports. She stated in a declaration that tariffs are not beneficial to enterprises, and even more so not to consumers. "The unjust tariffs imposed on the EU by the US will not go unanswered - we will take resolute and reciprocal countermeasures. The EU will take actions to safeguard its own economic interests, and we will protect our workers, enterprises, and consumers."
Maroš Šefčovič, the EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, warned at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on the same day that this is "a lose - lose situation." Tariffs are counterproductive economically, especially considering the deeply integrated production chains we have established through extensive trans - Atlantic trade and investment relations. He said, "By imposing tariffs, the US will tax its own citizens, increase the costs of its own enterprises, and exacerbate inflation."
Šefčovič said that the EU will continue to be committed to constructive dialogue and is ready to negotiate at any time to find mutually beneficial solutions if possible.
On February 10th, US President Trump signed a document announcing a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imported into the United States. In addition, the latest measures also revoke the duty - free quotas and exemption policies for steel and aluminum of some trading partners.
Mexican President Ximena Sánchez Cordero said at a press conference that the Mexican government will send a letter to the White House of the United States. In the letter, Mexico will explain to the US side that since the US has a trade surplus in steel and aluminum with Mexico, imposing additional tariffs is actually disadvantageous to the US. At the same time, Sánchez Cordero also said that Mexican Economy Minister Raquel Buenrostro will have a phone call with the US side to further communicate on matters such as tariffs. It includes some upstream products. For example, products like steel coils, steel pipes and section steel will inevitably experience significant price fluctuations because their downstream products cannot enter the US market. As a result, production enterprises are forced to reduce production.
On February 12th, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference that the Japanese government has requested the administration of US President Donald Trump to exempt Tokyo from the new 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum. Hayashi said, "We are aware of the order announced by the US President. We have made a request to exclude Japan from these measures. We intend to study in detail the content of these measures and their possible impacts on Japan and take necessary steps." According to the Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, the request was sent through the Japanese Embassy in the United States on Wednesday, Japan time.