GENERAL NEWS
U . S . tariff plans spark global concerns
“ On 10 February 2025 , President Trump unveiled plans for 25 % tariffs on all U . S . imports of steel and aluminium , which accounted for an estimated US $ 61 billion , or 1.8 %, of total goods imported to the U . S . last year . The tariffs are scheduled to go into effect on 12 March 2025 ,” commented analyst , S & P Global , on 12 February 2025 .
According to the BBC , Trump has already introduced a 10 % tax on all products from China , which has responded with its own measures , and indicated possible tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico . Catherine Cobden , President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association , sounded a note of caution on 9 February 2025 .
“ When President Trump implemented tariffs on Canadian steel in 2018 , we saw massive disruptions and harm on both sides of the border , hurting both America and Canada . The Canada-U . S . economy is so highly integrated , with $ 20B in trade of steel between our two countries . 40 % of Canada ' s steel imports comes from the United States . This at a time when Canada has worked tremendously hard to align our trade policy with the United States to protect both markets from unfair trade that threaten jobs and communities ,” she said .
European Aluminium , a member-based association representing the European
aluminium value chain , expressed deep concern on 11 February 2025 over the recent announcement from the U . S . regarding the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on all aluminium imports . This move , it said , threatens to disrupt transatlantic trade relations between two strong economic partners .
" The EU and the U . S . have developed robust , interconnected supply chains through years of trade and investment , with many of our members operating on both sides of the Atlantic . Tariffs will drive up costs in the U . S . and distort trade flows all over the world .
Above : Catherine Cobden , President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association . Right : Paul Voss , Director General of European Aluminium .
Ultimately , they will disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets at a time when stability is most needed ," said Paul Voss , Director General of European Aluminium .
The EU exported around 309,000 tonnes worth € 2.4 billion exported from January to November 2024 . The EU ’ s main aluminium exports are aluminium sheets ( 43 %), aluminium foil ( 19 %) and aluminium bars / rods ( 10 %), confirmed the association .
“ Transatlantic trade plays a vital role in supporting manufacturers and maintaining supply-chain resilience , especially for high value-added aluminium products . Any trade restrictions between these long-standing allies risk disrupting the supply chain , causing harm to aluminium producers on both sides of the Atlantic ,” added European Aluminium . “ The Executive Order signed by U . S . President Donald Trump imposing a 25 % blanket tariff on all steel imports is a radical escalation of the trade war launched under his first administration . It will further worsen the situation of the European steel industry , exacerbating an already dire market environment ,” commented EUROFER President , Dr . Henrik Adam , on 11 February 2025 . EUROFER is the European Steel Association . n
Auto sector flags issues as EV uptake slows
At the first Strategic Dialogue meeting tackling decarbonisation ( in Brussels , Belgium ), automakers and suppliers called for feasible solutions to meet climate-neutral goals as electric vehicle ( EV ) uptake slows and Europe ’ s industrial leadership faces unprecedented pressure .
“ The European automotive sector is at a critical juncture , facing mounting pressure from regulatory CO₂ targets this year while grappling with declining global competitiveness . At the first of the Strategic Dialogue thematic sessions dedicated to infrastructure and demand , European vehicle manufacturers and suppliers addressed shared concerns and outlined feasible actions to redress the slower-than-anticipated uptake of zero-emission vehicles while continuing to support road transport decarbonisation with a long-term , technology-open framework ,” said ACEA , the European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association .
“ Despite progress made over the past years , the pace of installing recharging and refuelling points remains too slow and not enough to cover projected demand . For example , almost 60 % of all charging stations are in only three countries . [ For ] heavy-duty vehicles , there is almost no availability of charging and refuelling infrastructure . Likewise , vehicle manufacturers are calling for the introduction of national and pan-European purchase and fiscal incentives to boost demand ,” added the association .
The European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association ( ACEA ) represents the 16 major Europe-based car , van , truck and bus makers .
“ The EU needs market-driven , not penaltydriven , policy if it wants to drive demand for zero emissions while overcoming the competitiveness crisis facing Europe ’ s auto industry ,” stated Sigrid de Vries , ACEA Director General . “ We reiterated our call for immediate relief on impending CO₂ penalties and an ambitious review of the EU ’ s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation , which still falls far short . We also backed the introduction of a pan- European incentive scheme .”
“ Achieving road transport decarbonisation faster requires leveraging Europe ’ s engineering leadership and innovation ,” added Benjamin Krieger , Secretary General , CLEPA ( the European Association of Automotive Suppliers ). “ We need a bold strategy to ensure that Europe develops the supply chains for electric mobility and for sustainable renewable fuels . Without this , we risk limiting viable pathways to climate neutrality .” n
www . acea . auto
6 | ismr . net | ISMR March 2025