European industry ministers are set to gather in Paris on Thursday to discuss strategies for safeguarding steel production across the continent in response to new US tariffs. The meeting, announced by France’s industry ministry late on Monday, comes after US President Donald Trump decided to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium imports from 12 March, despite strong objections from Brussels.
Ministers from around 15 European steel-producing nations are expected to attend the talks, where they will exchange insights and explore potential countermeasures. The discussions will also involve key industry stakeholders, including steel manufacturers and trade unions. According to the French ministry, the meeting is likely to conclude with a joint declaration aimed at reinforcing Europe’s steel industry against the impact of the US tariffs.
The European steel sector, which employs more than 300,000 workers, is already struggling with challenges such as China’s oversupply of low-cost steel and the burden of high energy prices. The new US tariffs add further pressure, prompting concerns about the industry’s long-term viability.
The European Union has condemned the tariffs as unjustified and economically damaging. The situation echoes events from 2018, when Trump imposed similar trade barriers during his first term, triggering retaliatory measures from the EU in the form of increased duties on American exports.
With tensions rising, the upcoming meeting in Paris is expected to set the stage for Europe’s response, as ministers work to shield their domestic steel industry from the fallout of escalating trade disputes.
