European polished diamonds, primarily processed in Antwerp, have been granted an exemption from the 15 percent import tariffs recently introduced by the United States on a range of industrial goods. The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) confirmed the decision in an official statement following the finalization of a broader trade agreement between the European Commission and the US administration. The exemption applies to natural polished diamonds of European origin and took retroactive effect from 1 September 2025. The measure is part of a new US decree aimed at waiving import duties on industrial exports from countries that have signed mutual trade agreements with the United States.
In addition to diamonds, the decree covers metals including nickel and gold, as well as chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The AWDC, which represents Belgium’s diamond industry, said the exemption was secured after months of negotiations involving industry stakeholders and European policymakers. Karen Rentmeesters, Chief Executive Officer of AWDC, stated that the removal of the tariff will reinforce Antwerp’s position as a key hub in the global diamond trade. The US is one of Antwerp’s largest export markets, accounting for approximately USD 2.1 billion in polished diamond exports annually. Rentmeesters also acknowledged the coordinated role played by the Belgian federal government and the European Commission in the negotiation process.
She noted that the absence of a significant domestic diamond mining or cutting industry in the United States made it clear that imposing a 15 percent import duty would not serve to protect American industry but could adversely impact downstream sectors, particularly the jewelry market and end consumers. Under the terms of the new trade framework, only diamonds that have been cut and polished within the European Union qualify for the tariff exemption. Stones processed in non-EU countries, including the UK and Japan, remain subject to existing US import duties.
EU diamonds gain US market access without import tariffs
The final implementation guidelines for the waiver are expected to be published in the US Federal Register later this month. Antwerp, which has served as a global diamond processing center for over five centuries, is home to more than 1,600 registered diamond companies and several hundred polishing workshops. The city has seen increased competition from other diamond hubs in recent years, particularly in Asia. The recent tariff exemption is anticipated to restore competitiveness to Antwerp’s cutting and polishing industry, which employs thousands and contributes significantly to the Belgian economy.
The announcement follows the conclusion of a new US-EU trade accord signed in Brussels earlier this month. The agreement aims to remove or reduce tariffs on a wide array of industrial goods in order to improve transatlantic trade relations and stabilize market access following disruptions caused by earlier trade policy shifts. In India, which accounts for a significant share of the global diamond processing industry, trade bodies have raised concerns over the heightened 50 percent US tariffs now applicable to their exports.
Global diamond processors monitor trade shift closely
The contrast in US tariff treatment has prompted Indian manufacturers to examine implications for their competitiveness in the US market. With the tariff exemption now in effect, diamond shipments from European Union countries to the United States are expected to resume without the additional financial burden that has affected other major diamond-exporting nations. The decision reinforces Antwerp’s strategic trade relationship with the US and is being closely monitored by other players in the global diamond supply chain.
Industry observers are tracking its impact on trade volumes, pricing dynamics, and potential shifts in global processing routes and export patterns. Analysts note that the tariff exemption could lead to increased demand for EU-certified stones, prompting exporters to reassess logistics and compliance protocols. Market participants are also evaluating how the policy alignment between Brussels and Washington may influence future trade flows, investment in diamond infrastructure, and regulatory harmonization across major trading blocs. – By EuroWire News Desk.