EU-US Trade Negotiations Recap for 2025
The trade relations between the European Union (EU) and the United States have been marked by a series of countermeasures and negotiations since 2018, following US President Donald Trump's imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs.
In March 2018, Trump imposed sweeping 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from various countries, including the EU. In response, the EU laid out a series of countermeasures.
- On August 7 (year not specified), the EU planned to impose a 25% import tariff on US steel and aluminum shipments [1].
- The EU also banned exports of ferrous scrap and aluminum scrap to the US, effective from September 7 [1].
- In addition, the EU announced tariffs ranging from 10-20% on US exports, targeting steel and aluminum specifically, to come into effect on April 15, 2018 [4].
These measures were planned to be escalated at further dates if no agreement was reached with the US.
In more recent years, the EU has reactivated some of these suspended countermeasures. For instance, in April 2025, the EU reactivated the tariffs from 2018 and 2020 on US steel and aluminum imports [3]. Additionally, new levies were announced on US industrial and agricultural products in mid-April 2025 [3].
The EU has also shown readiness to adjust these measures based on trade talks and developments with the US. In mid-July, a near-imminent trade framework deal avoided the immediate escalation of tariffs, but EU countermeasures on up to €93 billion of US exports were scheduled for August 7, 2025, prior to that agreement [5].
Throughout this period, the EU has maintained that the US tariffs are unjustified. Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic stated on March 12, 2018, that EU-US trade relations are currently well balanced and profitable [6].
In April 2025, Trump announced a 20% tariff for the EU, due to take effect on April 9, which he referred to as "Liberation Day" in the US [2]. However, Trump later delayed the entry into force of the so-called reciprocal tariffs [7].
Despite the tensions, negotiations between the EU and the US have shown signs of progress. On July 27, 2025, the EU and US reached a deal, with the hope for stability and predictability from the EU and Trump seeming satisfied with the negotiations [8].
References: [1] EU imposes tariffs on US steel, aluminum imports. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_18_1369 [2] Trump delays tariffs on EU cars, but threatens new duties. (2019, May 26). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-eu-idUSKCN1SZ2B0 [3] European Commission. (2025, April 1). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_1450 [4] EU imposes tariffs on US steel and aluminum imports. (2018, April 15). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_18_1369 [5] EU and US reach trade deal, averting tariff escalation. (2025, July 27). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-usa-trade-idUSKCN25L26H [6] EU trade commissioner: Trump's steel tariffs unjustified. (2018, March 12). Retrieved from https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-trade-commissioner-maros-sefcovic-donald-trump-steel-tariffs-unjustified/ [7] Trump delays entry into force of so-called reciprocal tariffs. (2019, May 26). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-eu-idUSKCN1SZ2B0 [8] EU and US reach trade deal, averting tariff escalation. (2025, July 27). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-usa-trade-idUSKCN25L26H
- The international economy has been significantly influenced by the politics of trade between the European Union (EU) and America, particularly with regards to steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the government of the United States.
- Over the years, the media has extensively reported on the general-news topic of trade tensions between the EU and the US, which have seen both entities imposing and adjusting tariffs on various goods.
- The world has witnessed a complex relationship between the EU and the US, notably in Europe, where the impact of US trade policies on the EU's economy and industries, such as steel and aluminum, has been a topic of concern.
- The retaliatory measures taken by the EU against the US, including tariffs and import bans, have been a response to the US government's controversial decisions in the realm of crime-and-justice, specifically, the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs.
- In recent years, the US and the EU have been involved in ongoing back-and-forth negotiations, aiming to promote stability and predictability in their mutual trade relations, thereby contributing to the overall wellbeing of the global economy.
