CECE joins transatlantic call for end to EU/US steel tariffs

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Mike Hayes Consultant Editor, Construction Europe / KHL Content Studio

07 December 2023

CECE (the Committee for European Construction Equipment) has joined a wide range of industry bodies to send an open letter to US and European Union leaders, urging them to permanently end their dispute related to steel, aluminium and large aircraft manufacture.

The steel disput between the EU and US remains unresolved. Photo: Adobe Stock

A cessation of tariffs on steel and aluminium – which were first imposed on both sides in 2018 – is due to end, in some cases as early as 1 January, 2024, causing significant levels of uncertainty and instability, even in unrelated industries.

The open letter, signed by almost 90 associations – and from sectors as diverse as footwear manufacture, fruit growing, dairy trade and construction – did applaud both sides for reaching an agreement in 2021, which paused tariffs and supported businesses as they recovered from the Covid epidemic.

Call for further talks

At the same time, the signatories highlighted the damaging effect the reimposition of tariffs that could total more than €1.3 million ($1.43 million) will have, if no new agreement can be found before the 1 January deadline.

In the large civil aircraft dispute, tariffs would return in June 2026 without a similar agreement.

The signatories called on both sides to come to the table and agree a further suspension of the tariffs, if a permanent resolution cannot be found at this time.

The full statement and list of signatories can be downloaded below.