“Mockery of Deals”: Add-On US Tariffs Threaten UK/EU Trade Stability

European industry leaders are warning that a new “add-on” tariff policy from the US “makes a mockery” of their existing trade deals. The US is considering adding 700 new products, from bikes to baking pans, to a “steel derivatives” list, which would stack new taxes on top of agreed-upon rates.
The UK and EU had already agreed to new trade frameworks with baseline tariffs. This new “rolling” list would impose an additional levy on the steel content of finished goods. Exporters fear this “double-tax” will make them uncompetitive.
The push is coming from US firms. Companies like American Pan (cookware) and Guardian Bikes claim they are being “flooded” by low-cost foreign goods, often from China. They argue this “unfair” competition justifies the new tariffs.
This argument has been highly successful. An August list of 407 items was approved with an almost 100% success rate. This precedent has fueled the new, larger round of requests, with a decision expected in December or January.
An adviser at Flint Global noted this “expansionist” policy confirms European fears and highlights the “uncertainty in the relationship” with allies.