EUROFER has welcomed today’s approval by the European Parliament of the new EU steel trade measure, calling it an important step towards addressing the growing pressures facing the sector from record imports, global overcapacity and rising international protectionism.
After the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the measure, with 606 MEPs voting for, 17 against and 39 abstentions, Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER), said: “We welcome today’s strong backing by the European Parliament for the new EU steel trade measure. At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and market distortions, this sends an important signal that the EU is prepared to act to defend its industrial base, security and autonomy. There must now be no delay in ensuring the measure enters into force by 1 July 2026, when the current safeguard expires.”
The measure introduces a reinforced tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system, including stronger protections against import surges, enhanced monitoring and anti-circumvention tools, and a 50% tariff above quota levels. EUROFER stressed that the EU will continue to remain one of the world’s most open steel markets, with around 18 million tonnes of steel imports continuing to enter tariff-free each year.
The association also underlined that protecting European steel production and securing European steel demand must go hand in hand. EUROFER therefore called for the same strategic approach to be extended to downstream steel-containing goods in order to strengthen the wider European industrial value chain.
EUROFER added that further action remains necessary to support the sector, particularly through tackling high energy prices, delivering an effective Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and addressing global steel overcapacity.
