European Commission launches second review of steel safeguards

The European Commission (EC) has decided to initiate a second review of the imposed definitive safeguard measures on a range of products imported into the European Union (EU). This was signalled on 14 February 2020 in the Official Journal of the European Union, monitored by Kallanish.

The first review was concluded on 26 September 2019 following the imposition of the measures on 31 January 2019. The scope of the second review will mirror the framework of first one, the EC says. It will cover 27 separate categories of steel (see table).

There are five areas to be investigated by the review. The level and allocation of tariff-rate quota for a number of specific product categories and the crowding-out of international trade flows will comprise the first two areas. The potential detrimental effects in achieving the integration objectives pursued with preferential trading partners is the third one. There will also be an update of the list of developing WTO member countries excluded from the scope of the measures based on their most recent level of imports. And finally, other changes of circumstances that may require an adjustment to the level of allocation of the tariff-rate quota, will also be investigated.

The EC is inviting both submissions either in support of or in opposition to the measures within 15 days of 14 February 2020 and is also inviting comments on the submissions made. It intends to conclude the review by 30 June 2020.