Statement on EU’s decision to potentially impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to the recent increase in U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium

Brussels, March 13. 2025 – The following statement can be attributed to Virginia Janssens, Managing Director at Plastics Europe: „Plastics Europe acknowledges the EU’s decision to potentially impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to the recent increase in U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. While we understand the EU’s need to safeguard its economic interests, we emphasize the importance of maintaining the principles of free and fair trade that are so important to fostering global economic stability and growth.

The imposition of tariffs, particularly on industrial goods such as plastics, will disrupt supply chains, raise costs for businesses, and negatively impact consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. The United States remains a major trade partner for the European plastics sector, accounting for 11.7% of extra-EU exports, valued at €3.4 billion, and 22.2% of extra-EU imports, valued at €5.3 billion, in 2023. These figures highlight the significant trade relationship between the EU and the U.S. in plastics, underscoring the potential economic consequences of escalating tariffs.

As a key stakeholder in the European plastics industry, we urge both the EU and U.S. to prioritize diplomatic solutions to avoid escalating trade tensions further. We support the EU’s openness to negotiation, as reiterated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and call for collaborative efforts to resolve this dispute in a manner that protects industry, jobs, and consumers in both the U.S. and Europe.

Plastics Europe remains committed to engaging with policymakers to advocate for trade policies that ensure mutual economic growth and support our ambition in advancing our plastics Transition Roadmap in Europe. Plastics Europe will closely monitor and further evaluate with its membership the potential impact of these tariffs on the European plastics industry.“

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Notes – The Plastics Transition Roadmap:  

The roadmap set out our ambition to achieve 65% circularity and net zero emissions by 2050. The roadmap provides a framework, milestones for 2030 and indicators to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks and find solutions to keep moving forward. It aims to guide, incentivise and accelerate industry action and performance, providing an evidence base to inform value chain dialogue and policymaking. To learn more, click here. 

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