75th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration and EUROMETAL’s legacy in the European project
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration — the visionary proposal that placed coal and steel at the core of a unified Europe and laid the foundations for decades of peace, prosperity, and collaboration across the continent.
At EUROMETAL, we proudly reflect on the fact that our own roots are closely tied to this foundational moment. In the same year — 1950 — just months after Robert Schuman’s historic speech laid the foundation for peace through coal and steel cooperation, steel and metal stockholders came together in Paris to establish FIANATM – Fédération Internationale des Associations de Négociants en Aciers, Tubes et Métaux, on 7 December. Their vision was to unite national associations of steel, tube, and non-ferrous metals merchants to support industrial recovery, foster cross-border trade, and reinforce economic cooperation — the very principles that underpinned the European project.
In 1999, FIANATM merged with Brussels-based FENA, the Fédération Européenne des Négociants d’Aciers, to create EUROMETAL, the European Federation of Associations of Steel, Tube and Metal Merchants.
From the beginning, we have been part of Europe’s industrial backbone — and today, we continue to serve as the voice of steel distribution across the continent.
Our members — stockholders, service centers, and traders — are critical to the functioning of the EU internal market. We connect producers with end-users, ensure supply chain flexibility, and are actively supporting the green and digital transitions that will shape Europe’s next industrial era.
Seventy-five years after the Schuman Declaration, we remain convinced that the future of Europe depends not only on its ability to produce, but also on its ability to connect, distribute, and transform — fairly, efficiently, and sustainably.
At EUROMETAL, we honour the legacy of those who helped build post-war Europe. We are proud of our place in this history, and we are fully committed to helping shape its future — grounded in industrial strength, market openness, and shared prosperity.
EUROMETAL at Made in Steel 2025: driving the future of European steel
Three intense and inspiring days at Made in Steel in Milan have come to a close — and EUROMETAL was proud to be part of the conversation shaping the future of our industry.
Yesterday, our President Alexander Julius, participated in the panel discussion “Road to the Future: Decarbonizing the European Steel Industry While Remaining Competitive.” He addressed the pressing implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the uncertainty still surrounding its application, and the urgent need to inform and prepare all actors across the steel supply chain.
The session brought together key voices from across Europe and the global steel industry in a powerful exchange on how to balance decarbonisation efforts with economic competitiveness.
Over the course of the fair, EUROMETAL had the opportunity to meet with members of the EUROMETAL Presidency, connect with numerous members and associates, and engage with colleagues, partners, and industry stakeholders — both exhibitors and visitors — at this essential gathering for Southern Europe’s steel sector.
A special thanks to Siderweb for organising this outstanding event. Thank you to all who contributed to these meaningful discussions. See you at the next edition!
UK industry welcomes US-UK trade deal eliminating 25% import tariff on steel, aluminum
UK industry associations have welcomed the US decision to eliminate the 25% import tariff on imports of UK steel and aluminum as part of a landmark bilateral free trade agreement announced May 8.
The agreement, unveiled in separate statements from the US and UK governments, is expected to provide a welcome boost for the UK metals industry, which continues to suffer from low margins arising from weak demand, high production costs and a highly competitive import market.
In a statement released shortly after the agreement was announced, UK Steel commended the UK government for its perseverance in securing an agreement that allows for the resumption of UK steel exports to the US.
According to UK Steel, the UK exported around 180,000 mt of semi-finished and finished steel to the US, representing approximately 7% of the UK’s total steel exports.
While acknowledging that the removal of tariffs offers some welcome respite for the industry, UK Steel warned that US tariffs on the rest of the world still represented a threat to UK steel producers through potential trade diversion and heightened import pressure.
“This deal will offer major relief to the UK steel sector at a time when it is battling numerous other challenges, not least global overcapacity, high energy costs and weak demand, said UK Steel’s director general, Gareth Stace.
“The impact of US steel tariffs is not limited to UK exports, but also the damaging consequences of trade diversion from other markets. Bolstering the UK’s trade defences is therefore also paramount,” he said.
The UK Aluminium Federation, or ALFED, also welcomed the US-UK trade agreement, describing it as “an important moment for UK aluminum producers.”
According to customs data, the UK exported around 7,100 mt of semi-finished and finished aluminum products to the US in 2024, representing approximately 3% of the UK’s global export total.
Acknowledging that the agreement offers greater certainty for the UK aluminum industry, as well as downstream important industries such as automotive and aerospace, ALFED warned that aluminum producers continue to face ongoing headwinds, including high energy costs and tightening emissions regulations.
ALFED noted the ongoing impact of the US tariffs on the UK aluminum recycling industry, with higher US demand for imported aluminum scrap serving to drive up UK domestic prices while undermining the country’s ability to retain high-quality secondary material for remelting and reuse.
“This ‘scrap leakage’ weakens the foundations of a viable circular economy and risks placing further pressure on UK decarbonisation goals,” the statement said.
Market participants surveyed by Platts said they saw little immediate impact from the agreement on aluminum prices, noting that UK exports to the US are modest relative to global trade volumes.
“The UK isn’t a big player, so I don’t think there will be any immediate impact on premiums,” said a trader.
Despite the limited impact, market participants acknowledged that the US-UK trade agreement raises the prospect of similar US trade agreements being announced within the coming weeks.
“It has made people question who else might get an [aluminum] exemption, as there had been so many comments that any exemptions would undermine the whole US tariff strategy,” the same trader said.
Another trader said it demonstrated that aluminum exemptions “are on the table for the US.”
Further downstream, Mike Hawes, CEO of the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, described the free trade agreement as “great news for the industry and consumers.”
Hawes said the reduction of US tariffs on UK cars from 27.5% to 10% across a set quota of 100,000 vehicles would provide much-needed relief for the UK auto industry.
“We hope that [the agreement] will lead to broader and deeper cooperation that reduces barriers to trade still further, charting a path to economic growth for both nations,” he said.
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed UK steel hot-rolled coil at GBP535/mt DDP West Midlands on May 8, stable week over week.
Author Euan Sadden
EU hot-rolled coil quota exhausted by South Korea
The EU’s safeguard import quota for hot-rolled coil has been exceeded by South Korea, according to European Commission data May 8.
This comes after the EC reduced quota levels per country, effective April 1.
The initial quota amount for South Korea in the first quarter was 184,310 mt, which was reduced to 161,144 mt for Q2.
A 25% duty will now apply to any additional HRC imported from the country.
Despite this exhaustion by South Korea, quota levels for Turkey, India, Serbia, the UK, and other countries remain above 50%.
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed imported HRC in Northern Europe May 8 at Eur540/mt CIF Antwerp, down Eur15 over the month, the lowest level since Jan. 21.
Platts assessed the Southern Europe import price May 8 at Eur530/mt CIF Southern Europe, down Eur15 over month, the lowest level since Jan 13.
The price differential versus domestic HRC prices has widened since new safeguard measures came into effect, which could suggest that imports may be starting to look more attractive.
Some sources have also cited that import offers from some Asian suppliers are becoming increasingly more competitive, which has put pressure on the domestic market.
Platts assessed domestic HRC in Northern Europe May 8 at Eur645/mt ex-works Ruhr, stable day over day.
EU HRC prices remain rangebound amid bearish sentiment, regulation concerns
European hot-rolled coil prices remained stable May 8 as the domestic and import markets faced pressure.
“The market is pretty depressed, we’re probably going to see some price drops from the domestic guys, and on the imports as well,” a trader said.
There is also growing skepticism over the implementation of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and whether it will be delayed, with one trader confused over its impact on the domestic market. The same trader cited, however, that it would cause the import market to become quieter.
The source also highlighted the market’s reluctance to accept carbon credits, saying it’s an extra risk that the market is not ready to deal with yet.
Demand for European HRC remains relatively low, and a trader source does not expect much material to be custom-cleared in December due to weak demand.
On imports, a deal was heard coming from Algeria at $600/mt CFR Italy.
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed HRC ex-works Italy at Eur620/mt and HRC CIF Southern Europe at Eur530/mt, both stable with May 7.
Platts assessed HRC in Northwest Europe at Eur645/mt EXW Ruhr May 8 and imported HRC in Northern Europe at Eur540/mt CIF Antwerp May 8, both stable with May 7.
EU consults on US steel countermeasures, scrap exports
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on a new list of US-origin steel imports that could become subject to EU countermeasures. It is also consulting on possible restrictions on EU exports of steel scrap to the US, Kallanish notes.
EU negotiations with the US to find an alternative solution to tariffs are ongoing “both at political and technical level”, the Commission says. However, the bloc “continues to prepare potential countermeasures to defend its consumers and industry, in parallel with the negotiations and in case these fail to deliver a satisfactory outcome. While the public consultation is a necessary step in this process, it does not automatically result in the adoption of countermeasures.”
The tonnages of scrap exported to the US are much larger than the volumes of steel the EU imports from that trading partner. EU scrap exports to the US under HS code heading 7204 were at 189,827 tonnes in 2024, according to Eurostat data. This was down significantly from 694,975t in 2023 and 318,327t in 2022.
Compared to its list published 12 March of US-origin products that could be subject to EU countermeasures, meanwhile, the latest list includes a vast range of flat, long, stainless and other alloy finished steel products. However, the impacted tonnages are insignificant.
The most-imported of the affected products is HS code 7225, which includes alloy hot and cold rolled, and coated strip and plate, as well as electrical steel. This saw imports of 12,732t from the US in 2024, down from 20,279t a year earlier and 15,543t in 2022.
Previously, the products proposed for inclusion in these measures were various HS code 7302 rail products, 7304 seamless pipe products and 7305 and 7306 welded pipe classifications. The tonnages were also low. It is unclear whether these products have now been removed from consideration for potential countermeasures.
The scrap export restrictions are likely to have a larger impact, if US tariffs succeed in their aim of increasing domestic industry capacity utilisation, as higher steel output will require more scrap feedstock. However, the US has substantial supply of its own – after the EU, it is the largest supplier of seaborne scrap.
Adam Smith Poland
Unions call for emergency meeting as Liberty Dudelange sale collapses
Luxembourg trade unions OGBL and LCGB are demanding an emergency meeting with the economy and labour ministers after Tosyali withdrew from its proposed acquisition of Liberty Dudelange.
“It is imperative that all parties involved immediately come together to define clear, concrete, and immediate solutions for employees,” the unions say in a joint note seen by Kallanish.
The unions previously proposed the establishment of a sectoral redeployment unit, based on the “CDR” model used successfully within the tripartite framework of the steel and aviation industries.
“Beyond employees, the country’s industrial future is also at stake. Measures must be taken to preserve threatened production facilities, especially when their viability has been proven. Luxembourg cannot afford to lose its expertise or see its industrial capabilities erode amid indifference,” the unions add.
Tosyali could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Turkish steelmaking group emerged as a potential buyer for bankrupt Dudelange in February. The unit has approximately 140 employees following a reduction in staff. It has remained inactive for more than two years, with the exception of a production test conducted in July 2024.
Adam Smith Poland
German stockholders’ sales remain modest in Q1
Germany’s stockholding distributors sold 2.47 million tonnes of steel in the first quarter, Kallanish learns from distributors’ federation BDS figures.
The tonnage comes close to that of the corresponding 2024 quarter, with a gain of some 4,000 tonnes. This, however, does not compensate for the steeper year-on-year drop seen last year. In the first quarter of 2024, the tonnage dropped around 5’%, compared with Q1 2023.
Still, this year’s Q1 shows some noteworthy deviations in the product groups. Flat products, which make up roughly 60% of sales among Germany’s stockholders, saw a decline by 30,000t to 1.535mt this year.
BDS does not provide explanations for such changes, which may not be caused by any particular factor. While February’s tonnage was down 40,000t y-o-y, March sales were up by the same rate.
Long products, traditionally accounting for some 30% of the total, saw an increase, by a modest 5,000t y-o-y.
A more noteworthy increase occurred in the “other products” category, which gained 30,000t, to a total of 235,000t. The growth hints at increasing volumes of wire rod, a traditionally uncommon product in warehouses of stockholding distributors.
Christian Koehl Germany
Will UK exemption begin ‘erosion’ of US steel tariffs?
The United Kingdom’s trade deal with the United States could mark the start of an erosion of Section 232 import tariffs and US steel prices.
US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer gave insight into a trade deal which would remove the 25% tariff on UK steel in a media conference yesterday (May 8). It would also reduce the tariff rate on UK-built cars from 25% to 10% for 100,000 units per year, after which a 27.5% tariff would be applied. Rolls-Royce jet engines will also be tariff-free.
President Trump said that, in return, the UK would remove its tariffs on US beef, ethanol, sports equipment and other products and would also buy USD10 billion of Boeing aeroplanes under the agreement.
It has taken over 50 days, since President Trump applied 25% import tariffs on steel, aluminium and automotive imports, for a deal to be announced between the US and one of its closest allies. Details of the US-UK trade deal, which remains subject to further negotiation, are limited, however.
Reducing Section 232’s ‘effectiveness’
Nonetheless, MEPS International US steel market analyst, Laura Hodges, said that the deal could mark the start of a series of trade agreements that reduce the effect of tariffs on US steel prices.
“The effectiveness of Section 232 steel tariffs is being chipped away again with the UK trade deal,” said Hodges.
“Reportedly the UK and US will now have a 0% tariff on their bilateral steel trade. This is the beginning of the exemptions that eroded Section 232 tariffs in 2018/2019.”
She added: “US steel prices are significantly higher than the rest of the world and are currently elevated only due to the tariff. If the tariff erodes, so do our prices in the near-term.
“We already expected prices to pull back this summer because of lower-than-expected demand from US manufacturing and construction. While more details are needed, the new deal places a downside risk to our near-term price outlook.”
MEPS’s US hot rolled coil prices rose by almost 40% in quarter one. Domestic producers increased their steel prices amid an expectation of tightening supply. Importers, meanwhile, accelerated procurement in an effort to beat the incoming import tariffs.
In MEPS’s recent US-focussed Market in Minutes podcast episode, Hodges said that steel imports into the US had not declined since the reintroduction of 25% Section 232 tariffs. Importers are sourcing low-cost material from non-traditional sources, however, after the tariffs’ blanket implementation effectively “levelled the playing field” between steel-producing countries, she said.
The recent rise in steel prices has also stalled. Research conducted for MEPS’s International Steel Review showed that subdued demand, and tariff uncertainty, has contributed to the market slowdown.
Forming a US-UK steel trade union
Some steel market participants are disappointed that trade deals with the US’s North American trading partners, Canada and Mexico, were not prioritised by the Trump administration. US buyers sourced 49,129 tonnes of the US’s 4.6m tonnes of steel imports from the UK in 2024, ranking it 18th among the country’s largest sources.
White House documents suggest that the US-UK deal will be underpinned by a new agreement on trade defence measures to tackle global steel overcapacity. They state that “the United States also recognizes the economic security measures taken by the UK to combat global steel excess capacity,” adding that “this deal creates a new trading union for steel and aluminum.”
The UK’s Trade Remedies Authority is currently investigating revisions to its steel import safeguard measures. In line with EU safeguard measures, the country will be implementing a new trade defence framework when its current model expires in June 2026.
Pact with UK benefits US machinery makers: Trump
The administration of US President Donald Trump has forged a trade agreement with the UK that has the potential to increase British importation of more US machinery and other steel-intensive manufactured goods, Kallanish reports.
Trump and UK prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday announced cooperation on a broad framework to lower some tariffs and ease other trade barriers. Trump said the details will be hammered out in the coming weeks.
In a statement, the US Commerce Department says the agreement will bring “unprecedented access to the UK markets while bolstering US national security.”
Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick said the agreement with the UK is mutually beneficial and sets the stage for more pacts with other US trading partners.
“This deal marks a new era in our relationship with the United Kingdom, our great ally.” Lutnick said. “And more importantly this deal opens up an enormous multibillion dollar export opportunity for hard-working Americans. While groundbreaking, this deal is the first of many.”
Trump on Thursday said he expects progress soon on a trade deal with the EU. The president is sending treasury secretary Scott Bessent to Switzerland for meetings with Chinese officials in an attempt to jump-start negotiations.
UK leaders laud the apparent agreement to remove the US tariff on imports of UK-produced steel. The US imported 264,863 tons of British steel in 2024, up from 217,734t in 2023, according to Commerce Department data.
Lutnick said the UK has pledged to reduce non-tariff barriers on US machinery exports and to streamline some customs processes. Trump’s global 10% tariff that took effect a month ago will remain broadly in place for UK. However, the tariff rate on US imports of British-made autos will be lowered to that 10% rate from 25%.
Noting that critical details may not be known for a period of weeks or longer, one US steel market participant is reacting with conditional optimism about Thursday’s revelations.
“Unless there are conditions that make this a lopsided deal, the results should be positive,” comments a US steel coil distributor.
Dom Yanchunas USA , Kristen DiLandro USA
