US tariffs weigh on German iron, steel and aluminium exports

BERLIN: Washington's steep tariffs on iron, steel and aluminium are dampening German exports to the United States (US) market, with shipments of those materials and related products falling in the January to April period, German news agency (dpa) reported.

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US tariffs on German metals doubled in June, but iron and steel exports to the US fell only 0.4%, and aluminium dropped 1.8%.
Germany's global iron and steel exports declined more sharply, down 4.2% in early 2025.
Total German aluminium exports rose 8% year-on-year, despite reduced shipments to the US.

German exports of iron, steel and related goods to the US declined by 0.4 per cent year-on-year to EUR1.3 billion (US$1.5 billion), according to data from the Federal Statistical Office on Wednesday.

Aluminium exports to the US dropped by 1.8 per cent to EUR218 million over the same period.

The US introduced additional tariffs of 25 per cent on imports of iron, steel, aluminium and products made from these materials on March 12. These duties were doubled to 50 per cent on June 4.

Despite the new trade barriers, the drop in iron and steel exports to the US remained modest compared to the broader decline in Germany's global trade in the materials.

Overall, German iron and steel exports fell by 4.2 per cent year-on-year to EUR20.7 billion in the first four months of 2025, the government statisticians said.

The US accounted for just over 6 per cent of Germany's total iron and steel exports during that period, ranking sixth among key export markets.

For aluminium, the US ranked 10th among Germany's top export destinations.

Despite the slight drop in shipments to the US, total German aluminium exports rose.

From January to April, German manufacturers exported aluminium and related products worth EUR6.4 billion, amounting to an 8 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

-- BERNAMA