03 June 2026 – “The new tariff threats from the US seem like an attempt to enforce the court-blocked tariffs in another way. Besides the investigation concluded yesterday, other procedures regarding alleged industrial overcapacities in the EU are ongoing. This creates no solutions but above all new uncertainties – on both sides of the Atlantic.

The EU and the Federal Government should resolutely reject such accusations against Europe. Additional tariffs contradict the US commitments in the World Trade Organisation and undermine efforts for more reliable transatlantic economic relations. This also applies to tariff threats based on alleged European overcapacities. For companies, every new tariff initiative mainly means this: even more confusion and less predictability in transatlantic business.

Especially in the fight against forced labour, the US and the EU should act together. The EU has already established an extensive legal framework with the ban on products made from forced labour and set high standards for responsible supply chains. Instead of recurring tariff conflicts, both sides should pool their efforts and jointly enforce these standards. This bolsters fair competition more effectively than additional trade barriers.”