Trade Cases
US extends tariff-rate quotas with EU through 2025
Written by Laura Miller
December 29, 2023
The US is extending the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) agreements on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union for another two years.
In two presidential proclamations on Dec. 28, President Joe Biden announced an extension of the quotas currently in place for steel and aluminum imports from the EU through Dec. 31, 2025.
The quotas allow for up to 3.3 million metric tons of steel, 18,000 metric tons of unwrought aluminum, and 366,040 metric tons of semi-finished wrought aluminum melted and poured in the EU to be brought into the US without facing the traditional 232 tariffs. Any steel or aluminum imports above those levels will continue to be subject to tariffs of 25% and 10%, respectively.
Earlier this month, the EU announced it would suspend retaliatory tariffs on US steel and aluminum products through March 31, 2025.
Domestic industry supports the decision
Two associations representing the domestic steel industry – the Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) – cheered the extension of the TRQs.
The “proclamation sets the stage for continued discussions on the proposed Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminum,” noted Philip Bell, president of the SMA.
“SMA supports the US government’s solution-focused approach toward an agreement that addresses both non-market excess capacity and reducing carbon emissions from around the world,” he added.
AISI also welcomed the two-year extension of the TRQs to allow for additional time for negotiations for a Global Arrangement.
“The American steel industry strongly supports the administration’s efforts to establish new mechanisms to address effectively global non-market excess capacity in steel and the higher carbon intensity of imported steel versus clean American steel,” commented AISI president and CEO Kevin Dempsey in a statement.
“In doing this, the President is making sure we continue to have vibrant steel and aluminum industries in the United States, which are especially crucial for safeguarding our national security.”
US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo commented that the move shows Biden’s “commitment to defending US industry from uncertain or adverse economic conditions.”
“In doing this, the President is making sure we continue to have vibrant steel and aluminum industries in the United States, which are especially crucial for safeguarding our national security,” she added.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/SMU_LM_headshot.png.jpg-150x150.png)
Laura Miller
Read more from Laura MillerLatest in Trade Cases
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/fist.png)
Steel industry groups urge House action on LTPF 2.0
Six steel industry organizations have urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to include the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act in any proposed package of legislation against China’s "unfair" trade practices.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Poor steel margins continue to push down raw material prices
Both iron ore and coking coal prices fell this week because of resistance from buyers. Iron ore prices have continued to fall throughout the past week, following sharp declines in steel prices in China, given no new policy announcement from the ‘Third Plenum’ meeting.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: Imports cause concern in India and Vietnam
High levels of steel imports, especially from China, in recent months are worrying steel makers in India and Vietnam.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Price-Alan-FullRes-3000px-scaled.jpg)
Price: The new greenwashing – subsidies to bail out obsolete, excess capacity
The United Kingdom and other countries are using the “green” label to subsidize bailouts of obsolete, inefficient, and excess capacity that should exit the market. US steelmakers have invested billions of dollars in technologies that curb greenhouse gas output. These investments have been market-based and led by EAF producers such as Nucor, Steel Dynamics, and CMC.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/AISI.png)
AISI, AISC, University of Massachusetts get ~$6.4M EPA grant
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst have received a grant to enhance emissions reporting for steel construction projects.