The comments from ArcelorMittal executive Philippe Darmayan echoed similar views from other European steel executives, with Tata Steel's Dutch arm having also called on the European Union to shield the European market from cheap imports.

"We would like safeguards to be put in place at the European borders, preferably as soon as possible, in order to stabilise the market....," Darmayan told France Info radio.

Darmayan added he was concerned, like many in the European steel industry, that Washington's decision could see cheaper products from China flooding over into Europe.

ArcelorMittal has operations in both Europe and the United States.

(Reporting by Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)