The European Union has agreed to tighten steel import regulations to shield its domestic industry, with new measures set to take effect on 1 July. The updated rules will primarily affect imports from China, India, and Turkey.
Under a provisional deal reached late Monday between EU member states and the European Parliament, the annual duty-free import quota will be reduced to 18.3 million tonnes – a 47% decrease from current levels.
Any imports exceeding this threshold will be subject to a 50% customs duty, up from the existing 25%.
The policy is designed to counter market distortions caused by global steel overcapacity once the EU’s current safeguards expire on 30 June. According to EU officials, domestic producers are navigating a challenging landscape marked by high energy costs, US trade tariffs, and the financial burden of transitioning to low-carbon production.
The bloc also emphasised the sector’s strategic importance to both the European economy and defence capabilities, noting that the industry has lost approximately 100,000 jobs since 2008 amid sustained import pressure on both volume and price.
Before the measures can take effect, they require formal adoption by the Council and the European Parliament. A plenary vote is expected in May, ensuring the new framework can seamlessly replace the expiring safeguards.
