EUROMETAL held two high-level meetings today at the European Commission to raise urgent concerns impacting the European steel distribution, processing, and manufacturing sectors.
The meetings focused on EU trade policy and the ongoing implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
EUROMETAL was represented by President Alexander Julius, Vice-President Fernando Espada, Board Member Jaap Jan Aardenburg and Director General Ricardo Silva.
Protecting the integrity of the EU Steel Supply Chain
In its meeting with the European Commission’s trade department (DG TRADE) held with the participation of cabinet experts from Cabinet of Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Cabinet of Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné, EUROMETAL emphasized the growing threat posed by imported, ready-made steel-based products, which are increasingly replacing goods manufactured within the EU. This trend is having a damaging impact on the entire European steel value chain, affecting distribution, logistics, and processing, and ultimately threatening the 13.6 million direct jobs supported by manufacturing in Europe.
EUROMETAL also raised concerns that the current Steel Action Plan fails to sufficiently acknowledge and support these downstream sectors, despite their central role in delivering a green and sovereign industrial transition in Europe.
The discussion confirmed the need for continued dialogue, cooperation, and evidence-based advocacy. To strengthen its position, EUROMETAL will now intensify engagement with its members, national federations, sector associations, and individual companies to gather data and reinforce the case for policy adjustments.
CBAM implementation: clarification and fairness needed
In a second meeting with the European Commission’s taxation department (DG TAXUD), EUROMETAL met with Vicente Hurtado Roa, Head of Unit for CBAM, and addressed several critical aspects of the CBAM framework, particularly the challenges facing steel importers and declarants in implementing current CBAM rules.
Key concerns included the practicality of CBAM procedures, the impact on contractual obligations and supply chains, and the urgent need to include key TARIC codes for steel-based products. Excluding these codes risks causing carbon leakage and further undermining the competitiveness of European manufacturing.
The Commission confirmed that technical adjustments to the CBAM regulation are still in progress, with updates expected by the end of 2025. EUROMETAL will continue to provide technical data and recommendations, particularly in relation to TARIC code classifications, to help ensure that the final regulation reflects the realities of the steel industry.
These meetings reaffirmed EUROMETAL’s commitment to ensuring fair trade conditions, supporting EU-based steel supply chain actors, and safeguarding industrial competitiveness in a fast-changing policy landscape.
EUROMETAL will remain actively engaged with EU institutions and stakeholders to advocate for a strong, sustainable, and resilient European steel sector.
