The Secretary General of Glass for Europe, Bertrand Cazes, also acting Secretary General of Glass Alliance Europe, on the impact of US tariffs for the European glass industry argued, “All eyes are now turned on the tariffs announced by Donald Trump. But as Europe prepares its response, it must not forget to look to Asia and to its own regulatory framework.
“The European glass sector will be hit hard by the new US tariffs. Europe’s exports of glass products to the US are not negligible. In 2023, the US accounted for almost 9 percent of all EU glass exports.
“The impact that such tariffs will have on the European exports of many products made from European glass is also very worrying. Just think of European wines, spirits, pharmaceuticals and perfumes whose bottles are manufactured in Europe. European products using glass as packaging account for more than EUR 140 billion in exports.
“The same applies to European cars exported to the US, that incorporate EU-made windscreens, sunroofs, mirrors, etc.
“While analysing the impact of this US decision, it is also important to keep an eye on Asia. Many Asian countries, including China, but also Thailand, Malaysia, etc. are also the targets of US tariffs. Some of these countries already have over capacities of production, for example in the continuous filament glass fibre sector.
“Asian glass exports to the US will have to find new export markets and Europe could be a prime destination.
“The pressure on the European glass industry will increase. Whether it is in tableware, mirrors or automotive glazing, exports from China to the EU are already rising sharply before any redirection begins. For example, imports of Chinese laminated automotive glass have doubled in the last 6 years.
“This US decision is therefore very bad news for glass production in Europe, losing exports and under increased imports pressure.
“These new burdens on the sector come at a time when the glass industry is already facing very difficult times: a general economic downturn in Europe, the highest energy and production costs and high regulatory uncertainty.
“At the same time, the glass industry in Europe is put under incredible pressure to massively multiply its investments to decarbonise production. While to date, this goal remains technically out of reach in some glass manufacturing segments, the glass industry is working hard to progress. Realistically, with US tariffs’ undermining the profitability of the European industry, decarbonisation investments will be harder to make.
“The EU will have to take stock of this reality. Its response to US tariffs will need to be a trade response, but it will also need to look at trade with Asian countries, and it will require some internal policy reforms.”