Globalisation of markets and industries intensifies the distorting effects of government policies that unfairly protect and support domestic markets and industries. Thus, the EU needs to address more effectively State-led distortions that are undermining the viability of traditional and innovative European industries, both at home and abroad. The EU needs to be more assertive in using – and where needed modifying – existing tools as well as developing new policy instruments to ensure a level playing field for EU industries while at the same time creating much needed leverage at the multilateral (WTO) level. The new Commission’s encouraging political objectives and orientations need to be endorsed and supported by the Council and the European Parliament and effectively implemented by the Commission.
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Brussels, 07 December 2023 – The inclusion of transformative industrial technologies for the decarbonisation of energy-intensive sectors, such as steel, in the list of net-zero technologies in the general approach adopted by the Council on the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), sends a positive signal at a crucial time when governments are deliberating urgent measures to protect the climate at COP28 in Dubai. Parliament and Council should now seize the opportunity to reach an ambitious agreement to promote EU-made green products in public auctions of net-zero technologies and to drive Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) in Europe. Promoting lead markets and CCUS are essential tools for sustaining the transition to low-carbon steelmaking, says the European Steel Association.
Brussels, 01 December 2023 – Further delays in implementing EU sanctions against Russian steel semifinished products would have a perverse effect, ultimately fuelling Putin’s war machine against Ukraine. The EU Council should reject additional exemption requests from a few member states defending the lucrative business model of few steel rerollers. The trade dynamic that takes advantage of cheap steel imported from Russia while aiding the supply to its military and related downstream sectors must come to an end, states the European Steel Association.
Industriall & EUROFER joint statement