The United States and Europe have reached a trade agreement, which includes a 15 percent import tariff the US is placing on certain goods from the European Union. The existing tariffs on steel and aluminum, however, remain in place. In fact, in June, President Trump raised (link in Dutch) them to as much as 50 percent.
Many companies are relieved to finally have clarity after months of uncertainty since Trump's first statements back in February (link in Dutch). But according to a report from RTL Z (link in Dutch), the higher tariffs are still hitting hard. The news outlet visited Atrium Agri and spoke with CEO Marck Hagen, who estimates that because of the US import tariffs on steel and aluminum, Dutch greenhouses will end up costing between 8 and 15 percent more in the American market.
The European Union has already responded with countermeasures, mainly targeting high-tech imports from the US. According to the Dutch statistics agency CBS (link in Dutch), these include items like medical equipment, measuring instruments, and data technology, as well as certain chemical intermediates.
For greenhouse builders and horticultural suppliers, this means US projects will now require some extra number crunching—and possibly some creative solutions—to keep budgets in check while still delivering top-quality, durable structures.
