The European Parliament supports a new proposal on protective measures to protect the steel market

The European Parliament has announced that it has adopted a position on a new regulatory framework aimed at protecting the European steel market from the negative effects of global overcapacity, as the current protective measures expire on June 30, 2026. Members of the Parliamentary Committee on International Trade voted overwhelmingly in favor of the European Commission's proposed regulation of steel trade, indicating strong parliamentary support for tougher trade protection measures.

According to the approved text:

• Quotas for duty-free imports will be limited to 18.3 million tons per year, which is 47 percent less than the quota system of 2024.
• The 50% customs duty will be applied to steel imports that exceed the quota and to products that it does not apply to.
• These measures are aimed at reducing the impact of subsidized and undervalued steel coming from global markets, which has limited EU production capacity and profitability.

Improving traceability and compliance with WTO requirements

The draft resolution also aims to improve the traceability of imported steel by clarifying the type of proof of origin that importers must provide to demonstrate where the steel was melted and poured, which is a key step to prevent circumvention and ensure compliance with the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Import ban from Russia and Belarus

As part of a broader package of trade protection measures, the bill also