EU, US resume talks on Al, steel decarb deal

The EU and US have advanced in talks on a framework for decarbonizing the aluminum and steel sectors ahead of an October deadline, representatives said today after a meeting in Brussels.

US trade representative Katherine Tai said that conversations between the two sides had continued with "a view of shaping a joint vision for decarbonizing these two sectors."

The countries have until October 2023 to find a framework based on a deal struck in 2021 that removed US tariffs on imports of EU aluminum and steel imports and and them with a nontariffed quota system. The EU ended retaliatory tariffs on imported US goods in line with the deal. The US tariffs had been imposed by then-president Donald Trump in March 2018.

"We shared a concept paper" with the EU team led by EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, Tai said. "We are on track. We are motivated and there is a concept that we are committed to proving with our partners in the EU on this."

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen reiterated her concerns today over protectionism in the US and China, promising green deal industrial plans and legislation to help EU firms struggling with higher energy prices.

By Rye Druzin