Practical guide to the war of Donald Trump’s duties: who wins, who loses, who treats
A little over two months after the “liberation day” with which President Trump started the commercial war (and subsequent breaks) here is what remains of the US duties today.
1. What are the latest tariff measures imposed by the United States and what do they involve?
The United States have introduced new duties of 50% on steel and aluminum, thus doubling the previous rates of 25% in force since 2018. The new measures affect the vast majority of exporting countries. The stated goal is to protect the national steel industry, but the measure has already triggered diplomatic reactions and concerns in the main commercial partners of the USA, in particular in the European Union.
2. There are countries that have been excluded from these new rates?
Yes, the only country that has been exempted so far from the 50% increase is the United Kingdom, which signed a bilateral commercial agreement with the United States on May 8. Based on this agreement, London will continue to benefit from a subsidized tariff regime, with general bodies set at 10%. The British government has also obtained the zeroing of the rates on steel and aluminum, previously subject to the rate of 25%. A diplomatic victory that Downing Street has claimed as a fundamental step to protect companies in the sector.
3. What is the country of the European Union most penalized by the new American rates on steel and aluminum?
Germany is, by far, the European country most affected by the new US rates. According to the data provided by Eurofer, the European steel association, the EU exports about 3.8 million tons of steel to the United States every year, a relevant fee for American manufacturing, which needs it for specialized productions. Of this total, 840,000 tons were exported from Germany between January and November 2024, making Berlin the first European exporter in the sector.
4. What is the expected impact for the Italian industry?
In recent years, Italy has diversified its commercial destinations for steel, gradually reducing dependence on the US market. From the peak of 708,000 tons exported in 2018, it fell to 287,000 tons in 2024, according to the Federacciai data. This downsizing limited direct exposure to duties. However, as regards aluminum – mainly exported as high quality semi -finished products – the concerns remain. The quantities are not high, but Assomet indicates that the American market can hardly support a further increase in prices, with possible negative repercussions on the competitiveness of Italian companies.
5. When did this new commercial tension began between the United States and the rest of the world?
A key date is April 2, a day that former president Donald Trump has renamed “Liberation Day”. On that occasion, he announced the unilateral imposition of global customs duties, marking a clear escalation of the commercial war. The move was justified as an attempt to rebalance the American commercial balance, but has aroused strong criticism from many industrial governments and associations.
6. What other sectors, in addition to the steel one, risk being involved in new rates?
In addition to steel and aluminum, in the sights of the US administration there are numerous other sectors, in particular agri -food, wine, textiles, electronics and the pharmaceutical sector. According to an analysis conducted by Assolombarda, Italy would risk heavy repercussions in various production areas in the event that a regime of mutual duties is established. The most vulnerable sectors would be those of rubber-plastic, transport, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, agri-food and mechanics. These are strategic sectors for Italian exports, which could see significant increases in costs and a loss of competitiveness.
7. Is the entry into force of the duties definitive or is a negotiation phase expected?
At the moment, the tariff increase has been temporarily suspended. It was Trump himself who declared a break in the application of the so -called “mutual rates”, pending the outcome of the negotiations with the European Union and with other commercial partners such as Japan, Canada and different countries of Latin America. The suspension is valid until July 9, but it is not excluded that it can be extended or revoked according to diplomatic developments.
8. In addition to steel and aluminum, which other US duties are already in force?
25% rates are currently active on cars, components and spare parts. The measures relating to cars entered into force on April 3, while those on components and spare parts were taken on May 3. Also in this case the declared goal is to support national production and reduce dependence on foreign supplies, but the repercussions on European producers – in particular Germans and Italians – could be significant.
9. What was the official response of the European Union?
The EU has decided to adopt a prudent but determined approach. On April 10, Brussels suspended for 90 days the entry into force of the counter-Dazi that the European Commission had prepared in response to American measures. These duties would have affected a series of US products starting from April 15, but the EU ministers’ council – meeting on April 9 – opted for a temporary suspension, to give space to dialogue and try to avoid a commercial escalation.
10. Who represents the two parts at the Table of the negotiations between the United States and the European Union?
For the European Union, the negotiations are led by the Commissioner to Commerce Maros Šefčovič, Slovak diplomat with long experience in the community dossiers. On the other hand, for the United States, the manager is Jamieson Greer, representative for trade and a lawyer expert in commercial policy. Greer directs the Usr (United States States Representative Trade), the organ in charge of defining the American tariff strategy. The two met yesterday in Paris for a first direct exchange, aimed at reducing tensions.
11. Are other meetings between the two parts in the coming weeks are planned?
An official date for the next negotiating round has not yet been communicated. The commercial duties were central themes of the interview between the German chancellor Merz and President Trump together with other strategic dossiers for transthlantic relationships. The meeting could represent a key moment to understand the real will of the American administration to find a diplomatic solution.
