EU and US reach deal on steel and aluminium tariff dispute

On Sunday, 31 October, the EU and the US announced a pause in the transatlantic trade dispute over steel and aluminium tariffs. The US will partially remove Section 232 tariffs (up to historic trade volumes), while the EU will suspend its retaliatory measures. Both sides also agreed to start negotiations on a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium.

News
2 Nov 2021
Trade, Transatlantic
EU and US reach deal on steel and aluminium tariff dispute

On Sunday, 31 October, the EU and the US announced a pause in the transatlantic trade dispute over steel and aluminium tariffs. The US will partially remove Section 232 tariffs (up to historic trade volumes), while the EU will suspend its retaliatory measures. Both sides also agreed to start negotiations on a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium.

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) commends the EU and the US for putting an end to a major irritant in the EU-US relationship and charting a path for a more forward-looking approach to tackling global overcapacity of steel and aluminium. No one stood to win from further tit-for-tat measures. These tariffs failed to address unfair trading practices, the root cause of this issue, and only hurt jobs, prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic.

The deal demonstrates the crucial role the EU and the US can play when they work together, fighting climate change and addressing unfair trading practices. The fact that other like-minded countries will be able to join this initiative also shows how transatlantic leadership can be an engine for multilateralism. As talks unfold for this new arrangement, compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules will remain critical. The rules-based trading system provides the certainty that companies need to operate globally.

This announcement comes after a series of positive developments in the transatlantic relationship, including a pause on the long-standing aircraft subsidies dispute as well as a range of initiatives launched at the EU-US summit in June, including the creation of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC). The TTC provides a unique platform to make progress on connected issues, such as strengthening supply chains, promoting global standards, reforming the WTO and developing a joint approach to non-market economies. Read more about AmCham EU’s priorities for the TTC here.

Related items

News
19 Mar 2026

INTA green light keeps EU-US deal on track

The European Parliament’s International Trade (INTA) Committee vote to approve the Commission’s tariff reduction proposals keeps the implementation of the July 2025 EU-US Framework Agreement on track. This vote was a critical signal that the EU intends to stick to its side of the deal, just as we expect the US to uphold theirs.

AmCham EU now calls for the European Parliament to adopt these proposals in a plenary vote at the earliest possible opportunity. The transatlantic commercial relationship is worth $9.8 trillion, with $6.4 billion in goods and services exchanged between Europe and the US every day. Predictability on the rules and costs of trading across the Atlantic is essential for planning, investment and jobs.

AmCham EU is opposed to broad-based tariffs. We understand MEPs’ caution in a volatile transatlantic political environment and have called for the US administration to provide greater clarity on its tariff policy. However, given political priorities on both sides, we still see the EU-US Framework Agreement as the most realistic path to securing a more constructive EU-US trade and investment climate that helps businesses plan ahead.

Beyond tariffs, the Framework Agreement offers a platform for deeper EU-US cooperation on shared priorities, including critical minerals supply chains, addressing nonmarket practices and strengthening cybersecurity. Today’s vote paves the way for the next phase of that agenda.

Trade
Trade tensions
Read more
Read more about INTA green light keeps EU-US deal on track
News
18 Mar 2026

Transatlantic Dinner 2026

On Tuesday, 17 March, AmCham EU hosted its Transatlantic Dinner, bringing together AmCham EU senior members, selected partners and representatives from the European institutions  for an exchange with Andrew Puzder, US Ambassador to the EU and Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU. 

Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, opened the evening by reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to building a strong Europe and strengthening transatlantic ties. Liam Benham (Boeing), Chair, AmCham EU, highlighted the challenging environment for businesses amid economic and political uncertainty, while underscoring the resilience of the transatlantic economy, now valued at $9.8 trillion. He emphasised the importance of predictability, a competitive Europe and an open investment environment to support growth. 

The discussion also highlighted the role of business in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery, as well as the importance of continued cooperation between the EU and US to strengthen economic ties and address shared challenges. 

Transatlantic
Read more
Read more about Transatlantic Dinner 2026
News
18 Mar 2026

Transatlantic Conference 2026: in review

At a time of growing economic uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation, this year’s Transatlantic Conference delivered a clear message: the EU-US partnership remains indispensable, but it must adapt. From trade and competitiveness to innovation and security, discussions throughout the day underscored that closer cooperation is essential to sustain growth and shape global standards. While differences persist, rebuilding trust, simplifying the regulatory environment and maintaining open dialogue will be critical to unlocking the full potential of the transatlantic relationship.  

Crossed wires: how to reconnect transatlantic ties?, explored how policymakers and industry can restore momentum in the relationship and cooperate to tackle new realities. Discussions focused on the future of transatlantic trade, Europe’s competitiveness, the role of lawmakers and how trust between partners can be reinforced. 

Transatlantic
Read more
Read more about Transatlantic Conference 2026: in review