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EU Commission chief discusses U.S. Tariff response with automakers, steel and pharmaceutical leaders

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, held a conference call on Monday with representatives from the metals sector. She then spoke to the automotive industry to discuss ways to respond to U.S. Tariffs. The calls were to gather data to inform future countermeasures, beyond Brussels' response to Washington's tariffs on steel. This will be voted upon later this week. On Tuesday, a call will be held with the European Pharmaceuticals Industry. On Monday, European and Asian stocks and oil prices plunged on fears that U.S. president Donald Trump's tariffs could increase prices, weaken the demand and even trigger global recession. Von der Leyen said in his invitation that the EU will propose this year "a trade measure to replace the steel safeguards by 1 July 2026", as a way to protect itself against "negative trade effects caused due global overcapacity".

Sources who attended the metals meeting said that the group requested measures to deal directly with the "indirect effects" of the tariffs and to take urgent action in order to keep scrap aluminium and steel in the EU.

Last month, the Commission announced that it would be considering

export duties

on EU scrap sales. The EU also tightened existing laws.

Safeguards

On April 1, the steel imports will be reduced by 15%.

"Constructive meeting ... Source: "The sense of urgency and clarity of purpose are much higher than a few month ago," said the source.

According to ACEA in Brussels, the industry association, the call with the automotive industry was scheduled at 3:30 p.m. A spokesperson said that the group has requested a solution to be negotiated. The EU has been urged to reduce its tariffs for U.S. auto imports by carmakers. BMW urged in January for a reduction to 2.5%, from 10%.

Callers included CEOs and chairmen from BMW, Volkswagen Stellantis Scania Daimler Truck Bosch and BMW as well as lobby groups.

Three industry sources claim that the Commission invited initially the CEOs of EU-based pharma companies to a meeting. Four sources said that the Commission invited Swiss firms like Novartis or Roche. This was not confirmed immediately. A Roche spokesperson confirmed that the company is a member of EFPIA, but declined to elaborate.

Both the European Biotech Group Europabio and the European Big Pharma Trade Lobby EFPIA confirmed that their respective directors general would be attending. The meeting was set for Tuesday at 10:30 am (0830 GMT).

The duties announced by Trump last week did not apply to pharmaceuticals, but Trump says that they will be subject to separate tariffs.

A source at the meeting on Tuesday said that the industry would push for the Commission to explain how it intends to allow pharma and biotech companies to manufacture more in Europe.

The company said this could include streamlining the regulatory processes which have recently discouraged certain companies from conducting clinical trials.

Trials

In Europe. Reporting by Julia Payne, Maggie Fick and Kevin Liffey; editing by Kevin Liffey

(source: Reuters)