Significant measures to protect European steelworks has been announced by Commissionattempting to stop the loss job and enhance the competitiveness of the industry against Chinese competition.
In 2024 more than 18,000 jobs were lost in the field, a development that, as the Vice President of the Commission Stefan Cézourne pointed out, ‘It’s too many and that has to stop’.
Arcelormittal’s president, Mital’s copy, expressed his relief for the Commission’s decision, thanking the EU for “He understood the seriousness of the situation and acted vigorously”.
The new Plan of the Commission provides for significant changes such as:
- Doubling the tariffs on steel imports that exceed the specified quotas, from 25% to 50%, thereby reaching the levels already implemented by the US and Canada.
- A compulsory declaration of the country of origin for the processed steel to avoid bypassing duties through third countries.
The new framework will replace the “assurance clause” implemented in 2019 and expires in mid -2026. “The European industry was on the verge of collapse. We will protect it to invest and re -compete. “, Sezurne assured.
The European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (Eurofer) described the “rescue life” plan for the industry and workers, demanding its immediate implementation. Brussels aims to put it into force by July 1, 2026 at the latest.
“We have to act now,” said Commission President Ursula von der Laienne, calling on Member States and the European Parliament to approve measures without delay.
Alliance with EU – US against China
At the same time, the EU is continuing negotiations with Washington to exclude European steel from US duties, with the aim of creating a common European and US front against Chinese competition.
The numbers are revealing: in 2024 China produced more than 1 billion tonnes of steel, ie over half of world production, far exceeding India (149 million tonnes), Japan (84 million) and the US (79 million). Next to these numbers, European production looks small: 37 million tonnes in Germany, 12 in Spain and fewer than 11 in France.
European industries have been destabilized for years by Chinese competitors who are generously subsidized and affecting overproduction prices. The result is repeatedly “plans for economic and social recovery” and closing factories, in an area that employs more than 300,000 EU workers, while indirect jobs reach 2.5 million.
At the same time, Germany, the Thyssenkrupp group plans to sell its steel industry to Indian Jindal Steel, while in France Arcelormittal has just announced the abolition of 600 jobs.