STRASBOURG (ANP) – The European Commission aims to reduce the import quotas for steel into the EU by half to avoid an influx of foreign steel in the European market. Additionally, the Commission plans to increase the import tariff for steel outside the quotas from 25 to 50 percent. This information was shared by Euro Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné (Industry) on X.
The proposal restricts tariff-free steel imports to 18.3 million tons annually, which is a 47 percent decrease compared to the steel quotas set for 2024. An additional 50 percent tariff will apply to excess steel imports.
The United States and Canada have previously increased their import tariffs on steel, raising concerns in Brussels about potential dumping of inexpensive steel, particularly from China. These measures are intended to safeguard European steel producers. According to an EU source, the EU imported 30.5 million tons of steel last year, mainly from Turkey, India, China, and Ukraine.
The Commission also seeks to enhance the traceability of melted steel to avoid undesired imports. “Steel sellers must specify the origin of the melted and cast steel,” the source indicated.
Countries such as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein will be exempt from these new regulations due to their participation in the European internal market. Candidate nations like Ukraine may also qualify for an exemption if they can demonstrate that the restrictions threaten their security.
If approved by member states and the European Parliament, the new rules are set to take effect in June 2026.
“A robust, low-emission steel sector is vital for the competitiveness, economic security, and strategic autonomy of the European Union,” stated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Global overcapacity is detrimental to our industry. We must act decisively. I urge the Council and Parliament to respond quickly.”
(October 7, 2025)
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