为换美国一句话，欧盟要对华加税50%？德企急呼：别引火烧身

Core Viewpoint - The EU is taking measures to address steel imports from China, planning to cut foreign steel import quotas to half of 2024 levels and significantly increase tariffs, potentially up to 50% [1][3]. Group 1: EU Measures and Support - The EU plans to reduce foreign steel import quotas to 50% of 2024 levels and increase tariffs, following the examples of the US and Canada [1]. - France and 10 other member states support strict "melting and pouring" origin rules to limit Chinese steel imports, citing high cost pressures on their steel industries [3]. - France aims to leverage this measure to encourage the US to lower tariffs on EU steel, alleviating export pressures [3]. Group 2: Germany's Position - Germany, as the largest economy and steel importer in the EU, has a conflicting stance; while supporting free trade, it is cautious about the implications of increased tariffs on its industries that rely heavily on Chinese steel [3]. - Approximately 60% of Germany's imported steel comes from China, raising concerns about production cost increases and competitiveness [3]. Group 3: Impact on Industries - The German Automotive Industry Association (ACEA) warns that rising steel costs could increase production costs by about €2000 per vehicle and calls for temporary tariff measures [5]. - Major German companies like Siemens and BASF express concerns about potential retaliatory actions from China, which could disrupt global supply chains [5]. Group 4: Eastern European Concerns - Eastern European countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, which rely on low-cost steel imports, fear that increased tariffs will raise costs for infrastructure and manufacturing, weakening their economic competitiveness [7]. - Poland imports about 30% of its steel from China, and these countries prefer to maintain existing protective measures rather than increase tariffs [7]. Group 5: Broader Economic Implications - Organizations like ACEA and Orgalime indicate that rising steel prices will have a cascading effect on downstream industries such as automotive and construction, ultimately impacting consumers and taxpayers [9]. - Research from Bruegel suggests that halving EU steel imports could lead to a GDP decline of approximately 0.2% [9].