PRESS RELEASE – for immediate release
Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe – FACE
Tuesday 11 March 2025, Brussels
PRESS RELEASE
TARIFFS – CONSERVA (FACE): HOW EUROPE SHOULD RESPOND TO TRUMP’S NEW ALUMINIUM TARIFF
“In an increasingly tense international context, marked by growing protectionism and the use of tariffs as a tool of economic warfare and of coercion, it is essential to clarify FACE’s position on raw materials liberalisation and on how best to respond and strengthen Europe’s economic resilience.
Why do we call for the elimination of the EU import tariff structure (3-4-6%) on raw aluminium imports instead of supporting even greater protectionism? The answer is simple and crucial: raw materials are the basis of any manufacturing and have a considerable impact on production costs, just as the electricity needed for processing does.
Reducing these costs is essential for strengthening the competitiveness of the European aluminium industry and ensuring that it can strive in a global market characterised by fierce and often unfair competition,” stated Mario Conserva, President of FACE (Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe), in a press release.
“For this reason,” Conserva continued, “even in a context of increasing protectionism and trade wars, it is necessary to eliminate EU import tariffs on raw materials, which for over twenty years have eroded the EU’s industrial competitiveness. The priority must be to strengthen our industrial power, not weaken it.”
“However, FACE has always advocated to keep the 7.5% import tariff on products untouched, because they protect our manufacturers, and has urged the European Union institutions to reinforce and speed the use of trade defence instruments, such as antidumping duties.
Furthermore, it is essential that the 7,5% aluminium tariffs protecting our manufacturing base is not used as a bargaining chip in bilateral trade negotiations, sacrificing the European industry in exchange for greater market access for services. The EU aluminium industry is already too affected by structural and conjectural factors and must not be subjected to further sacrificing in international trade negotiations.
According to Conserva, the right formula for an effective trade policy supporting the European aluminium industry in the current world trend of fragmentation and conflictuality must include:
- The elimination of import tariffs on raw materials, notably unwrought aluminium.
- The preservation of import tariffs that protect downstream semi-finished and finished products.
- A ban on using the EU’s 7.5% import tariff on aluminium products as a bargaining chip in bilateral trade negotiations.
- Faster and more effective trade defense instruments.
- Immediate and strong responses, including through coalitions with other countries, to the trade warfare measures targeting the European aluminium and other sectors.
“Europe,” concludes the FACE President, “must adopt assertive and strategic measures to support the competitiveness of the aluminium industry, defending its resilience and growth prospects in an increasingly aggressive global environment.”
The press release is available here.
