Merz Backs EU Tariff Plan to Help Europe’s Ailing Steelmakers

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz threw his support behind proposed European Union tariffs to shield the continent’s ailing steelmakers and reiterated his government’s commitment to securing steel production and jobs in Europe’s biggest economy.

After talks Thursday with industry executives and labor officials in Berlin, the conservative leader’s ruling coalition also called for an immediate halt to steel imports from Russia as part of EU sanctions against Moscow and reiterated support for the European Commission’s efforts for “rapid relief” from US tariffs on steel and aluminum.