Steel Industry Protection: EU's Trade Defence Measures in Focus

Strategic Insights -

The European Union's (EU) steel industry is being shielded by robust trade defence instruments, with over 70 measures in place, including safeguards. The Commission conducts an EU interest test before imposing measures, weighing the interests of importers, users, and consumers. Users are encouraged to cooperate in investigations, and anti-circumvention measures are enforced to prevent evasion. The EU is also exploring the introduction of a 'melted and poured' rule, which would target countries where metal is originally melted, regardless of subsequent transformation. A long-term measure is set to be proposed by 2025, providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU's steel sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU steel industry is covered by over 70 trade defence measures, including safeguards.
  • The Commission conducts an EU interest test before imposing measures, considering the interests of importers, users, and consumers.
  • Users are encouraged to cooperate in investigations, and their concerns are taken into account when deciding to impose measures.
  • Anti-circumvention measures are enforced to prevent evasion, with almost a quarter of all measures addressing circumvention.
  • The Commission is assessing the introduction of the 'melted and poured' rule, allowing action against the country where the metal was originally melted.
  • A long-term measure will be proposed by 2025, providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU's steel sector.
  • Changes in EU demand, security, and resilience considerations will be taken into account in the long-term measure.
  • The EU market's level of openness will be preserved in the long-term measure.

Statistics:

  • Over 70 trade defence measures are in place for the EU steel industry.
  • Almost a quarter of all measures address circumvention (24%).
  • The Commission will propose a long-term measure by 2025, providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU's steel sector.
  • Changes in EU demand, security, and resilience considerations will be taken into account in the long-term measure.

Sources:

  • European Parliament: European Steel and Metals Action Plan [1]
  • European Parliament: Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security Complaints Office [2]