On May 17, 2021, European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis announced that the European Union will temporarily suspend the increase of its rebalancing measures related to the Unites States’ Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. The tariffs, previously scheduled to go into effect on June 1, 2021, would increase duties on U.S. products including whiskey, motorcycles, and power boats. The announcement was accompanied by a joint statement by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis outlining the beginning of talks to address global steel and aluminum excess capacity.
The suspension follows the Biden Administration’s February 2021 decision to pause tariff increases on the EU related to the ongoing aircraft subsidy dispute and marks a growing trade détente between the U.S. and EU.
For more information on Section 232, U.S.-EU Trade, and WTO developments please contact our team and see previous posts below.