Trump's tariffs have prompted European metal producers to call for restrictions on scrap steel exports.

Metal producers in the European Union are lobbying the bloc to impose export tariffs or restrictions on the transport of scrap metal in the "coming weeks" to prevent a sharp increase in scrap metal flowing to the United States due to the trade policies of the Trump administration. After U.S. President Trump imposed a 50% tariff on imported steel and aluminum, European metal producers warned of a shortage of scrap metal and a disruption to carbon emission strategies. The aluminum industry is urging the EU to use export authorization measures to prevent aluminum from flowing out. Until now, only during the COVID pandemic, has the EU Commission required companies to apply for permits for the export of protective equipment and vaccine doses. Export tariffs could be another option. Axel Eggert, Secretary-General of the European Scrap Metal Association, said that scrap metal is a big issue, and we are calling for export taxes on scrap metal, as most non-EU producing countries have restrictions in place.