European Union steel exports to the United States fell sharply in recent months, dropping by around 30 percent after the reinstatement of higher import tariffs on steel products, trade and industry officials said on Friday.
The decline follows imposition of additional duties on EU-origin steel by U.S. authorities, part of a broader tariff policy aimed at protecting domestic producers. The tariff increases were reinstated earlier this year after previous exemptions expired, prompting a rapid adjustment in trade flows.
Data from customs and trade agencies showed that volumes of key steel products shipped from EU member states to the United States have been consistently lower since the tariff changes took effect. Several major EU steel exporters, particularly in Germany, Italy and Belgium, reported weaker export performance in January and February compared with the same period last year.
Industry representatives said the tariff impact has made EU steel products comparatively less competitive in the U.S. market due to higher landed costs. This has led buyers in North America to source more steel from alternative suppliers, including South Korea, Japan and Mexico, where tariff liabilities are lower or exempt under existing trade agreements.
Steel producers within the EU have expressed concerns that the sustained drop in export demand could weigh on capacity utilisation and profitability, particularly for producers with significant exposure to the U.S. market. Some companies are reportedly exploring opportunities to redirect shipments towards markets in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa to offset the loss of U.S. demand.
Market analysts said that while the tariff measures have provided respite to U.S. steelmakers by limiting import competition, they have also contributed to disruptions in global supply chains and shifts in trade patterns. They noted that the full impact of the tariff changes may take several quarters to materialise across regional markets as shipment contracts, pricing mechanisms and logistical arrangements adapt.
The EU has reaffirmed its commitment to engaging in dialogue with U.S. counterparts on trade measures affecting steel and other industrial sectors, while also exploring options through the World Trade Organization and other forums to address trade tensions. European industry associations have urged both sides to seek negotiated outcomes that balance domestic industrial interests with stable, predictable international trade relations.
Analysts said that the steep fall in EU steel exports to the United States underscores the sensitivity of global commodity flows to changes in trade policy and tariff structures.
