The European Union will negotiate with the United States on steel, focusing on quotas within which it can be exported without too high tariffs. This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Saarland at the end of last week, Ntv reports.
According to Merz, the task now is to work out the "fine print".
"This will especially apply to quotas, according to which we will then be able to export without burdening ourselves with excessive tariffs," the German Chancellor said.
He called the agreement "painful" for the entire European industry, but noted that the EU does not have the opportunity to start a full-scale trade dispute.
Merz also noted that the government will do everything to preserve the metallurgical sector and steel production in Germany.
"Germany will continue to need a steel industry, a modern steel industry, including a green one," he said.
Friedrich Merz stressed that the preservation of steel production in Germany is a strategic interest of the country. He is currently negotiating with factories and employees – the proposals will be finalized in the coming weeks, as the state needs a reliable steel strategy.
In July, the EU and the United States signed a trade agreement, with tariffs on imports of most European goods to the United States agreed at 15%. However, negotiations are continuing
For certain sectors, including steel and aluminum, which are subject to duties of 50%.
