The European Commission has announced plans to bolster the continent’s struggling steel sector and shield it from the impact of impending US trade tariffs. A comprehensive action plan aimed at enhancing the industry’s competitiveness will be presented in the spring.
This initiative follows mounting concerns from European steel manufacturers, who in November urged the Commission to take immediate steps to prevent what they described as the sector’s “irreversible decline.” Their demands include measures addressing trade policies, the EU’s carbon levy on imports, energy costs, and scrap material regulations—all within the broader framework of achieving the EU’s 2050 carbon neutrality target.
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Since then, the pressure on the industry has intensified following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States, adding to existing duties on metals.
Recognising the sector’s strategic importance, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting the industry. “The steel industry is a key sector of our European single market. At the same time, this industry is of utmost importance in our fight against climate change. We want to ensure that the European steel industry is both competitive and sustainable in the long term,” she said in a statement.
To address these challenges, a high-level ‘strategic dialogue’ will take place on March 4, chaired by von der Leyen. Key stakeholders, including steel manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and other industry representatives, will explore ways to boost competitiveness, advance decarbonization and electrification, and uphold fair trade practices.
Following these discussions, Commission Vice President Stephane Sejourne is expected to unveil a “dedicated steel and metals action plan” in the spring, outlining concrete steps to safeguard the industry’s future.
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