The EU Council finally approved the bloc and U.

S. steel and aluminum online trading on June 25, clearing the way for the deal to take effect before the July 4 deadline set by U.

S. President Donald Trump.

The Council formally adopted two resolutions fulfilling obligations related to tariffs outlined in the EU and US joint statement on August. 21, 2025.

The two rules will now be signed and published in the Official Journal, effective the day after their publication.

The agreement strengthens control over trade flows of steel and aluminum between the two economic blocs, giving the European Commission the right to suspend tariff preferences if the United States continues to apply tariff rates above 15% on steel and aluminum derivatives from the EU.

The basic Regulations will cease to be in effect at the end of 2029. By June 30, 2029, the Commission will present a comprehensive assessment of their impact on EU-US trade flows, tariff receipts, and economic impacts, including on small and medium-sized enterprises, and will accompany it with a legislative proposal to expand the application of the rules, where appropriate.

Author: Annalisa Villa