News » EUROFER welcomes EU WTO action on illegal Indonesian export restrictions
EUROFER welcomes EU WTO action on illegal Indonesian export restrictions
Downloads and links
Recent updates
The European Steel Association (EUROFER) welcomes the EU’s decision, announced on 14 January 2021, to request the WTO establish a panel in order to seek the elimination of unlawful export restrictions imposed by Indonesia on raw materials necessary for the production of stainless steel, notably nickel ore and iron ore.
This decision follows the earlier announcement of November 2019 which EUROFER also supported.
Indonesia has been engaging in an aggressive expansion of its nickel processing and stainless steel sectors. This began in 2014, with Indonesia banning the exports of nickel-bearing raw materials to ensure its nascent domestic stainless production had access to below-market price inputs.
Taking action at the WTO is fundamental to prevent third countries' – such as Indonesia – aggressive and illegal sectoral industrial policies undermining global trade and resulting in artificial cost distortions and overcapacities.
Nickel is an important component in the production of stainless steels. 55% of all stainless steels contain nickel because it improves corrosion resistance and improves the alloy’s properties. Indonesia’s hoarding of this material inflates the competitiveness of its stainless steel industry.
In parallel to the action initiated by the EU at WTO level, it remains essential that the Commission continues to act swiftly and vigorously by deploying the trade defence instruments available to it under EU law. TDIs can begin to tackle the unfair practices and trade distortions that gravely affect the European industry.
Download files or visit links related to this content
The outlook for the European steel market in 2024 continues to lose momentum amidst persisting challenging conditions. Downside factors such as worsening geopolitical tensions, coupled with growing economic uncertainty, energy prices, inflation, interest rates have further impacted demand prospects. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, these challenges have exacerbated the negative effects on apparent steel consumption, resulting in a more severe downturn in 2023 than previously projected (-9%, instead of -6.3%) and weaker growth in 2024 (+3.2%, instead of +5.6%). Output in steel-using sectors, despite showing more resilience than expected in the past year (+1.1%), is now set to decline (-1%). Imports are once again on the rise (+11% in the last quarter of 2023), capturing a staggering 27% market share throughout 2023.
Second quarter 2024 report. Data up to, and including, fourth quarter 2023
Brussels, 22 March 2024 – The future of a strong and resilient EU can only be forged with steel made in Europe. Europe-made low-carbon steel has a strategic role as it enables a net-zero economy, but today it faces strong headwinds from high energy prices, unfair competition, global overcapacity and growing unilateral carbon costs. The year 2023 has recorded the lowest European crude steel production levels ever, with a number of idled plants and dire impact on workers. Ensuring the enabling conditions for the short-term viability and the decarbonisation of the steel sector urgently needs to be at the top of the EU agenda. This is the message delivered by the European Steel Association together with a number of high-level representatives of the sector on the occasion of the Clean Transition Dialogue on Steel in the presence of the Executive Vice Presidents of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič and Margrethe Vestager.