European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met today with representatives of the steel and metals industry to discuss the impact of the US tariffs.

“I spoke with the European steel and metals industry to understand the perspective of the impact of the US tariffs. This will help us to form an effective EU response. We will remain in close contact to ensure that their interests – our interests – are well protected,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.

According to a Commission statement, the discussion focused on how to make the EU’s response to the US measures more effective. Industry representatives welcomed the European Commission’s Steel and Metals Action Plan and the Clean Industry Agreement and called for rapid implementation.

Participants expressed strong concerns about the wider implications of the US tariffs, including the impact on derivatives and the serious risk of trade diversion. They also stressed the urgent need for the EU to propose new trade defence measures for steel beyond the existing safeguards, which are due to expire in June 2026. These measures should address the potential diversion of exports from other major steel-producing countries to the EU market.

This week, the Commission is holding meetings with the industrial sectors most affected, notably automotive, steel, and pharmaceuticals, to assess the consequences and ways of possible assistance.