The European Union (EU) and the United States agreed to join forces and investigate China's steel and aluminum sectors, which may lead to additional tariffs on imports to both regions. The two partners are facing common challenges in China's production of cheap steel products flooding their markets. The decision to launch a joint investigation into Chinese steel and aluminum followed a trade discussion between the US and EU on 15 July. While the two partners pledged further cooperation, the EU criticised the US for imposing import tariffs and limiting product access to its market. The European Commission vice president, Maros Sefcovic, said that while the US tariffs had significantly left an impact on Europe, more efforts are needed to be made to “address structural overcapacity and unfair trade practices globally, especially with regard to China.” The investigation will likely result in trade penalties or measures against China by the EU and US.
