Dutch Foreign Trade Min. criticizes U.S. tariffs on steel; EU warns of countermeasures

The Minister of Foreign Trade, Reinette Klever, is disappointed by the import tariffs that U.S. president Donald Trump is going to apply for steel and aluminium. The PVV minister made her comments on X. Trump announced a 25 percent import tax on all steel and aluminium imports from the United States of America staring on March 12.

“The U.S. and the Netherlands do not benefit from new trade barriers," Klever said. "The European Union will respond appropriately to protect our economic interests."

The chair of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also responded to the news on X, saying that these tariffs will not go “unanswered.” She also said that she “deeply regrets the unjustified tariffs” and that they will “trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures.”

“Tariffs are taxes - bad for business, worse for consumers,” the Chair of the European Commission added.

The Chief of EU Trade, Maroš Šefčovič, said that this will be a “lose-lose scenario.” He also added to Von der Leyen’s comments that countermeasures will be implemented as a result of the tariffs.

Tata Steel, a major steel production company in IJmuiden, warned yesterday that these measures could significantly impact their exports. "Tariffs always impact our foreign sales. If higher rates are imposed, it will affect us," Tata Steel said in a statement. "Although nothing has been confirmed, we are preparing for all possible scenarios. Our colleagues in the U.S. are in close contact with relevant parties such as the American Chamber of Commerce, the Dutch Embassy, and EU representatives in Washington."

Trump has imposed similar tariffs during his first term as president, but Tata Steel had received an exemption. The company supplies the U.S. with specialized steel used in electric vehicle batteries, high-quality packaging materials, and other advanced steel products.