Information gathering on the United States tariff increase on derivative aluminium and steel products

Private stakeholders affected by the US tariff increase on certain derivative aluminium products and certain derivative steel products originating in the EU or by possible measures in response

The Commission seeks information and views regarding the EU's economic interests in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 654/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014. The Commission expects to receive input from private stakeholders affected by the US tariff increase on imports of certain derivative aluminium products and certain derivative steel products and possible EU commercial policy measures.

The information gathering should provide the Commission with input to assist it in assessing the necessity and the parameters of possible commercial policy measures.

This is a procedural step that has to be taken within a clearly defined deadline as to preserve the EU’s rights and inform the decision-making process. It does not prejudge any specific EU action.

Context

The United States of America announced on 24 January 2020 the imposition of measures in the form of a tariff increase on imports of certain derivative aluminium products and certain derivative steel products from, inter alia, the EU (at rates of 10% and 25%, respectively), applicable as from 8 February 2020.

Regulation (EU) No 654/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 concerning the exercise of the EU's rights for the application and enforcement of international trade rules (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014) provides for the legal basis for the EU to suspend concessions or other obligations under international trade agreements, with the intention of rebalancing concessions or other obligations in the trade relations with third countries, when the treatment accorded to goods from the EU is altered in a way that affects the EU's interests.

Where action is necessary to safeguard the EU's interests in such cases, the EU may take appropriate commercial policy measures in response, on the basis of objective criteria.

In assessing the necessity and the parameters of possible commercial policy measures, the Commission seeks input from private stakeholders affected by the US tariff increase on certain derivative aluminium products and certain derivative steel products originating in the EU (at rates of 10% and 25%, respectively) or by possible EU commercial policy measures, as outlined above, on the products identified in the enclosed document 'Form to be completed and submitted'.