The threat from US steel tariffs has become a “rolling” one, with European industry now on red alert for potential expansions to the list of affected goods three times a year. This prospect of constant reviews is a major source of anxiety, creating a state of permanent instability that businesses say is unsustainable.
The EU steel industry has sounded the alarm, stating that the latest US consultation, ending September 29, is not a one-off event. They believe it is part of a wider US intention to regularly review and expand the list of “derivative” products subject to duties, a move that would keep exporters in a perpetual state of uncertainty.
This tri-annual review cycle would make long-term business planning a fool’s errand. Companies would have to constantly monitor for changes, never knowing if their products might be added to the list in the next review period. “It is very difficult to claim we have certainty,” said Luisa Santos of BusinessEurope, capturing the industry’s mood.
The rolling threat exacerbates the already severe compliance challenges. If the list is constantly changing, companies must also constantly update their internal auditing and reporting processes. The risk of a 200% fine for error becomes an ever-present danger, likely leading more firms to adopt costly defensive strategies like overpayment.
This new dimension of the trade dispute—its relentless, rolling nature—has intensified calls for a robust EU counter-strategy. The European industrial sector is arguing that it cannot operate effectively under a constant, recurring threat and needs its political leaders to establish a more stable and predictable trade environment.