News » European Commission decision on SSCR major step forward in countering severe trade distortions
European Commission decision on SSCR major step forward in countering severe trade distortions
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Brussels, 16 March 2022 – EUROFER welcomes the publication of the European Commission implementing regulation imposing definitive anti-subsidy measures on imports of stainless steel cold-rolled flat products (SSCR) originating in India and Indonesia. These measures are an important step forward in implementing the EU policy objectives for fair and free trade.
“The European Commission’s decision is a landmark achievement, as it ensures a level playing field for the EU stainless industry, and it is also fundamental in implementing the EU commitments towards sustainable and balanced trade”, said Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER).
The proceeding was initiated on 17 February 2021, following a complaint submitted by EUROFER. Its conclusions come after significative efforts by both the industry and the Commission to address major raw materials distortions in stainless steel resulting from state interventions in Eastern Asian countries.
These behaviours have granted undue competitive advantages to exporting producers on the EU market and created massive non-market overcapacities. At the same time, it should also be highlighted that the Sino-Indonesian capacities - 100% export-oriented - are relying on production processes which result in CO2 emissions that are around four times higher than Europe’s low carbon stainless steel production.
The Commission’s measures also consolidate the new course of the EU trade action in addressing China’s behaviour by tackling the support it grants to domestic companies along the Belt and Road Initiative. The Indonesian stainless steel industry is a prime example of the export of Chinese capacities to other countries: Indonesia went from zero stainless steel production in 2017 to the second worldwide capacities in 2022. Similar extensions of capacities have also occurred in India.
“Given the linkages between Indian and Indonesian exporting companies, it is essential that the European Commission remains vigilant with regard to any attempts to circumvent or absorb these measures", concluded Mr Eggert.
Brussels, 13 September 2023 – The European steel sector welcomes the vision for a renewed Industrial Strategy set out by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the State of the Union address. Relaunching Europe’s industrial engine with concrete measures in all relevant policy areas should be both a core mission for the final year of this legislature and a top priority for the future EU executive. The European steel sector, which has launched over 60 industrial-scale decarbonisation projects, stands ready to engage with the Commission to develop and implement the urgent actions needed to boost the whole European cleantech ecosystem, says the European Steel Association.
Brussels, 11 September 2023 – The European metals industry, including both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, has initiated the process to establish its own EU Transition Pathway* in collaboration with the European Commission. The metals sector plays a pivotal role in facilitating the EU’s green and digital transitions by enabling several strategic value chains at the core of the clean tech economy. The objective of this comprehensive plan is to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the metals sector, aligning it with the overarching objectives of the EU twin transition.
Brussels, 16 August 2023 – On 14 August, the Commission initiated two anti-circumvention investigations regarding possible circumvention via Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam of the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures imposed in 2021 and 2022 against imports of stainless steel cold rolled flat products from Indonesia. EUROFER welcomes the openings and the immediate registration of the imports from those countries towards a possible retroactive application of the existing duties.
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
