Trump implements tariffs on steel and aluminum

They are coming after all! Trump implements 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum

2025-02-13 Source: dpa 2 min Reading Time

Donald Trump has put his tariff threat on steel and aluminum imports into effect. However, Thyssenkrupp remains calm about it.

US President sticks to his tariff plans regarding steel and aluminum, as he has now initiated everything so that the 25 percent will soon apply to all countries. Further tariffs are not ruled out. However, Thyssenkrupp is less concerned about this ...(Image: AP) — US President sticks to his tariff plans regarding steel and aluminum, as he has now initiated everything so that the 25 percent will soon apply to all countries. Further tariffs are not ruled out. However, Thyssenkrupp is less concerned about this ...
(Image: AP)

The US President signed two orders at the White House to initiate the tariffs. He emphasized that these tariffs would apply to imports from all countries without exception. In the two proclamations later released by the US government's headquarters, it was listed that various exemptions for different countries would no longer apply from March 12. Instead, a uniform tariff rate of the said 25 percent would then apply. Although many experts consider this step counterproductive, Trump regularly describes tariffs as a kind of economic policy miracle solution. He immediately hinted at further tariff announcements – for example, regarding cars, computer chips, and pharmaceuticals. Trump literally: "This will be great for our country!" However, he did not provide details. Tariffs would affect the German export-oriented economy, a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Economics noted. When asked whether possible countermeasures might once again target US products such as motorcycles or whiskey, the spokesman said there was no automatism based on the experience of the first Trump era.

Germany's largest steel manufacturer is relaxed

Following the announcement, the steel and industrial goods group Thyssenkrupp does not foresee any major impacts for itself. The announced tariffs on imports to the USA would, according to current knowledge, have only a very limited impact on Thyssenkrupp's business. This is especially true for the announced tariffs on steel, as Europe is the main market for Thyssenkrupp's steel. Therefore, exports of steel products to the USA are negligible and mainly involve high-quality products with a strong market position. The majority of Thyssenkrupp's revenue in the USA comes from the trading business and the automotive supply division. Fundamentally, they are well-positioned in these businesses in the USA, which is explained by the considerable share of local manufacturing for the local market. This focus on local production minimizes risk concerning potential tariff risks and similar regulatory changes. Thyssenkrupp emphasized that a reliable assessment of the impacts on the various industrial sectors could only be made once the specific tariffs have come into effect and any possible EU countermeasures are known.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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