Ghent (Belgium) – During a visit to the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Ghent on Tuesday, Stéphane Séjourné, the newly appointed Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, emphasized Europe’s commitment to protecting its industry from unfair practices by foreign nations.
“To be the only open market is unacceptable. I want to make this clear to the Americans: if they expect access to the European market, we also deserve access to the American market,” the French official stated to AFP, addressing concerns over tariff threats from President-elect Donald Trump.
This visit to the steel plant, which employs approximately 5,000 workers, underscores the new European administration’s focus on enhancing economic competitiveness.
“For weeks, the Commission has been developing a plan for the steel industry,” Séjourné explained.
The European steel sector is facing significant challenges from Chinese competition and is undergoing a costly ecological transition, with energy costs higher than those faced by American or Asian competitors.
Supporting the industry is “not at odds with environmental goals, but rather complementary,” asserted Teresa Ribera, the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for Ecological Transition and Competition, who was also present in Ghent on December 3, 2024.
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