EU awaits US’s final decision over imported aluminium and steel tariffs exemption

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, that European Union has still no clarity about the United States’ decision over imported aluminium and steel tariffs exemptions, while the permanent exemption deadline is about to expire on June 1, 2018.

The bloc has so far been given only temporary exemptions and now, it has only until the end of the month time to negotiate for a permanent exemption from the tariffs.

Last week, the European Union leaders had decided at a summit that the bloc would be willing to offer talks on trade liberalisation should the United States grant a permanent and unconditional reprieve from the imported metal tariffs. The EU stands ready to deepen trans-Atlantic energy cooperation, notably on liquefied natural gas, improve reciprocal market access for industrial products and work together to reform World Trade Organization rules.

“Is this going to be enough? I’m not sure frankly,” Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told reporters in Brussels after discussing the tariffs with EU ministers.

She added, “There have been signals from the U.S. that the exemptions will not be prolonged. So either they will be imposed on us the first of June, or there will be other sorts of limiting measures.”

Malmstrom even pointed out that she corresponded with US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross several times in past one week over the issue. In fact, discussions are still continuing, she said, but conceded, “The final decision on this will be made personally by the president.”

"I also count on Wilbur Ross to make a recommendation to him and to be honest with me in a couple of days what kind of recommendations he will make. Whether the president will follow that or not - I don't know," said Ms. Malmstrom.