EU committee backs stricter steel import measures
Process in Brief
MEPs on the International Trade Committee adopted their position on the proposed regulation by 36 votes in favour, 2 against and 5 abstentions, approving a draft text to counteract the trade-related effects of global steel overcapacity. The committee also approved the decision to start negotiations with the Council.
What Is at Stake
The draft regulation would lower tariff-free import quotas to 18.3 million tonnes a year, a 47% cut versus 2024 quotas, and impose a 50% customs duty on imports above the quota and on steel not covered by the quota. It would strengthen traceability by clarifying evidence importers must provide on origin, asks the Commission to monitor impacts and consider amending product coverage, and would ban all steel imports from Russia and Belarus.
Timeline
The committee approved opening talks with the Council aiming to reach a deal in the Spring and the WTO global steel safeguards are set to expire on 30 June 2026.
Sources
Official Documents
- Press release - New measures to protect EU steel market from global overcapacity EU International Trade Committee adopts position on regulation to curb global steel overcapacity, tightening quotas and duties, banning imports from Russia and Belarus, and initiating negotiations with the Council.
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