News » EUROFER supported the 'EU trade policy under pressure: The example of steel' virtual conference
EUROFER supported the 'EU trade policy under pressure: The example of steel' virtual conference
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This event took place on 16 November.
The EU is at a crossroads, having suffered a sharp economic and social hit in recent months. The European Commission predicts a drop in EU GDP of 7.5 per cent in 2020. However, even in 2019, there were signs of underlying frailty in the EU economy.
Despite this, the EU has ambitious plans for its future, aiming to go green, digital and high-tech. But the global challenges remain the same: third countries taking advantage of the EU’s open borders and markets whilst refusing to share the same high ambition to decarbonise by 2050. EU trade policy is thus under pressure. It must evolve to meet rising competition abroad while giving the space for EU companies to
survive, thrive and go green.
This recession will have severe effects on global supply chains, especially if countries around the world seek to dump products on world markets to make up for a loss of local demand.
Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference, supported by EUROFER, to discuss the crossroads we find ourselves at. If Europe is to thrive, how can EU trade be ready for a vastly different global future? How will industries, such as steel, fare? Questions to be discussed:
How can the multilateral trade framework be strengthened to ensure stability, predictability and a rules-based environment for fair and sustainable trade for EU companies?
16 November, 2020 - online.
14:30 – 14:35 Welcome
14:35 – 14:50 Panelists statements
14:50 – 15:40 Discussion and Q&A
15:40 – 15:45 Closing statements
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Strasbourg, 07 October 2025 – The new trade measure presented today by the European Commission is a long-awaited proposal to forcefully defend the European steel sector, in full respect of WTO rules, from unfair imports flooding the EU market due to massive global overcapacity. The provisions unveiled by the Commission respond to the needs of the sector and represent a real lifeline for EU steelmakers and steelworkers. The European Parliament and the Council should therefore adopt it as a matter of urgency to enable its entry into force at the beginning of 2026, says the European Steel Association (EUROFER).
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