The announcement by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminum imports to the United States has sparked concerns in North Rhine-Westphalia.
“The heart of the German industry is in North Rhine-Westphalia and we are heavily reliant on open and fair trade relationships” said Minister-President Hendrik Wüst (CDU). “I am therefore filled with great concern about the discussion of possible US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.” Wüst added, “Such measures would put jobs in our industry at risk and burden transatlantic economic relationships, from which both sides benefit.”
Wüst stated that he is now relying on a constructive dialogue between the European Commission and the US administration to secure “fair framework conditions” for companies in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Also, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Economy Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens) expressed alarm. “Tariffs on steel and aluminum were not a good idea in Trump’s first term and they are not now” she said. The threatened US tariffs are a “danger” for the economy in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and all of Europe.
Protectionist measures would hit all sides: “They would unsettle investors, increase the cost of products for companies and consumers and could further fuel global trade conflicts” Neubaur said. Rising tariffs would not only burden the competitiveness of the steel and aluminum industry, but also the mechanical engineering and automotive industries, which rely on these raw materials.