German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil on Monday called for the inclusion of a quota system on steel exports as part of the ongoing trade agreement negotiations between the European Union and the United States, during his official visit to Washington, where he is scheduled to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
In a radio interview, Klingbeil stated: “There is talk of introducing a quota system for steel exports, and it would be beneficial if such a system were implemented.” He noted that many chapters of the trade agreement remain under negotiation, emphasizing that steel is a key issue for the German economy and labor market.
The minister said he aims to test the U.S. administration’s willingness to take concrete steps, although formal negotiations are led by the European Commission.
The preliminary trade agreement reached in July during the presidency of Donald Trump included a 15% tariff on most products, while key sectors such as steel and aluminum are still under discussion and currently subject to tariffs as high as 50%.
In a related statement on Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that the EU will continue negotiations with Washington on the steel issue, focusing on establishing export quotas that would be exempt from high tariffs.
Klingbeil also urged for swift resolution of other outstanding issues in the trade dispute, including EU-promised investments and the energy file, saying: “These matters need to be finalized within the coming days.”
