Brussels, 19 May 2026: Europe’s steel industry has welcomed today’s approval by the European Parliament of the new EU steel trade measure, calling it an important step towards addressing the growing pressures facing the sector from record imports, global overcapacity and rising international protectionism.

After the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the measure, with 606 MEPs voting for, 16 against and 39 abstentions, Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER), said: “We welcome today’s strong backing by the European Parliament for the new EU steel trade measure. At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty and market distortions, this sends an important signal that the EU is prepared to act to defend its industrial base, security and autonomy. There must now be no delay in ensuring the measure enters into force by 1 July 2026, when the current safeguard expires.”

The measure introduces a reinforced tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system, including stronger protections against import surges, enhanced monitoring and anti-circumvention tools, and a 50% tariff above quota levels. EUROFER stressed that the EU will continue to remain one of the world’s most open steel markets, with around 18 million tonnes of steel imports continuing to enter tariff-free each year. 

The association also underlined that protecting European steel production and securing European steel demand must go hand in hand. EUROFER therefore called for the same strategic approach to be extended to downstream steel-containing goods in order to strengthen the wider European industrial value chain.

EUROFER added that further action remains necessary to support the sector, particularly through tackling high energy prices, delivering an effective Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and addressing global steel overcapacity.

Notes for editors

Contact
David French, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, +32 2 738 79 35, (d.french@eurofer.eu)

About the European Steel Association (EUROFER)
EUROFER AISBL is located in Brussels and was founded in 1976. It represents the entirety of steel production in the European Union. EUROFER members are steel companies and national steel federations throughout the EU. The major steel companies and national steel federation of Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom are associate members.

The European Steel Association is recorded in the EU transparency register: 93038071152-83.

About the European steel industry
The European steel industry is a world leader in innovation and environmental sustainability. It has a turnover of around €215 billion and directly employs around 298,000 highly-skilled people, producing on average 146 million tonnes of steel per year. More than 500 steel production sites across 22 EU Member States provide direct and indirect employment to millions more European citizens. Closely integrated with Europe’s manufacturing and construction industries, steel is the backbone for development, growth and employment in Europe.

Steel is the most versatile industrial material in the world. The thousands of different grades and types of steel developed by the industry make the modern world possible. Steel is 100% recyclable and therefore is a fundamental part of the circular economy. As a basic engineering material, steel is also an essential factor in the development and deployment of innovative, CO2-mitigating technologies, improving resource efficiency and fostering sustainable development in Europe.