Antwerp Diamonds Gain Zero-Tariff US Access

Antwerp’s diamond sector will benefit from zero percent import tariffs on natural polished diamonds under a new trade agreement between the European Commission and the United States. The exemption, effective retroactively from September 1, was confirmed by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) on Wednesday.

The AWDC credited the breakthrough to “intensive negotiations” and said it will significantly boost the Antwerp diamond-cutting industry. Previously, polished diamonds faced a standard 15 percent import tariff in the US.

“With a total annual export of 2.1 billion US dollars from Antwerp to the US market, the US is a very important trading partner,” said Karen Rentmeesters, CEO of AWDC. She added that the decision strengthens Antwerp’s competitiveness as a global trading and cutting centre.

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The zero-tariff measure is part of a broader US decree granting tariff waivers to trading partners on industrial exports including nickel, gold, metals, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. The AWDC said the move will also help other major diamond-cutting countries secure favorable tariffs.

Rentmeesters praised the efforts of sector partners, the Belgian government, and the European Commission, noting that a 15 percent duty would have primarily harmed US consumers, as the country lacks diamond mines and large-scale cutting factories.

The AWDC emphasized that the decision is expected to support global trade in polished diamonds and reinforce Antwerp’s role as a leading diamond hub.