A group of European lawmakers has written to the European Commission, calling for swift action to address the pressing issues facing the EU’s steel sector. The letter, signed by 105 MEPs and industry representatives, comes as the Commission prepares to launch a new trade protection framework for the industry.
The lawmakers, who are members of the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee, are urging the Commission to implement a new trade instrument that will provide effective protection to the EU’s steel sector. They are calling for the framework to be operational by January 2026, with a view to bringing import market shares back to sustainable levels comparable to 2012-2013.
The lawmakers argue that the current global overcapacities, which are forecast to increase to over 721 million tonnes by 2027, pose a significant threat to the EU’s steel sector. They are urging the Commission to adopt a comprehensive approach that will address the issue of circumvention, provide for a meaningful tariff on imports out of quota, and ensure that the framework is WTO-compatible.
The lawmakers are also calling for the Commission to consider the competitiveness of steel-using sectors, arguing that the EU cannot afford to lose competitiveness in one industry at the expense of another. They are urging the Commission to adopt measures to boost the competitiveness of steel-using sectors, in addition to implementing a strong and highly effective trade safeguard for steel.
The letter is a clear call to action for the Commission to take decisive steps to protect the EU’s steel sector. The lawmakers are urging the Commission to deliver a legislative proposal with urgency and ambition, in order to secure the competitiveness of the European steel sector.
