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EU steel safeguard
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In March 2018, the US imposed tariffs on steel imports to the US of 25%. These measures applied to the EU as of June 2018. The EU reacted by imposing retaliatory tariffs on EU-bound EU products in late June 2018. In order to ward off the destabilising effects of deflected steels, a provisional EU safeguard on steel imports followed on 18 July 2018. The EU decided to implement a final safeguard measure in February 2019, which will last for four years, with annual reviews.
Essentially, the safeguard is a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) of 100% based on the import levels in 2015-2017, with a dissuasive 25% tariff above that. There are further specific rules regarding quarterly quotas for certain products and countries, with limited exceptions. These change periodically as the safeguard is reviewed.
Brussels, 09 February 2024 – The initiation of a new steel safeguard investigation announced today by the European Commission is a pivotal step that could ensure the continuation of current measures beyond June 2024. This welcome move comes in response to worsening challenges in the global steel market, where carbon-intensive steel imports originating from excess capacity are inundating the EU market, posing a risk to the sustainability of the European steel industry, says the European Steel Association.
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Brussels, 08 June 2022 – EUROFER welcomes the adoption by Member States of the Commission proposal on the continuation of the safeguard measure, which supports the stability of the EU steel market while ensuring smooth supply flows.