The US imposed 50% tariffs on EU steel and aluminium in June, requiring importers to prove material origin.
European industries face new costs and paperwork on top of baseline tariffs for finished products.
Complex Rules Burden Manufacturers
ACEA said the “melt and pour” rule forces suppliers to track steel and aluminium across multiple tiers.
Suppliers often lack origin information, making compliance difficult.
Parts combining steel, aluminium, and copper fall under several tariff categories, further complicating reporting.
In August, the US expanded tariffs to 407 additional products, including machinery, fire extinguishers, turbines, and construction materials.
Financial Pressure Hits Carmakers and Exporters
ACEA warned that generic materials for car production now face tariffs, causing “substantial” financial impact for some companies.
EU cars already face 15% tariffs under the August trade agreement with the US.
Industries complain tariffs increase costs, create uncertainty, and add administrative burdens, especially for machine tool exporters, CECIMO said.
The EU failed to secure steel and aluminium exemptions but hopes to negotiate tariff rate quotas to ease export pressures.
