The EU has launched a strategic dialogue on the future of the European steel sector and presented a steel and metals action plan. Imports are to be cut by 15 %.
The steel industry, which provides 2.5 million jobs in the EU, is under increasing pressure. Rising production costs, driven by high energy prices, combined with falling product prices due to global overcapacity and reduced demand, are hindering investment in clean steel. US tarifs come on top of that.
During a period when nobody is respecting WTO (World Trade Organization) rules and everyone refers to national security… the EU can’t be the only continent that lets its industry fall apart.
Stéphane Séjourné
European Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné has presented the plan.
- Import quotas will be reduced to prevent diversion of foreign steel to Europe after the US increased their barriers.
- Public procurement rules are expected to be revised in 2026 to favour European steel.
- The Commission will introduce a “melted and poured” rule, to stop importers from changing the metal’s origin “by performing minimal transformation.”
- EU will propose a solution to the competitiveness issues following CBAM rules. The scope could be extended to steel- and aluminium-intensive downstream products.
- A pilot programme with the European Investment Bank to guarantee long-term power contracts will prioritise steel and aluminium producers.
Belgian-Macedonian Business Club 
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