The World Trade Organization (WTO) Safeguards Committee announced that it considered a total of 38 safeguards during its meeting on April 27, with much of the discussion focused on steel and metal products. Of the total, 12 measures were related to steel and metal products, highlighting ongoing global trade tensions in this sector.
EU and UK steel measures are attracting close attention
Several WTO members have expressed concerns and exchanged views on the safeguard measures being implemented by the EU and UK.
In particular, discussions have focused on:
- EU investigation into grain-focused electrical steel
- EU measures on ferroalloy elements
- UK tariff rate quota (TRQ) adjustments on some steel products
These measures have prompted numerous interventions from member states, reflecting their wider impact on global steel trade.
Among the most discussed cases were Egypt's three steel investigations, as well as EU measures and investigations related to steel and specialty steel products. The cases have raised concerns among many WTO members about market access and trade distortions.
Disputes over US tariffs intensify
The meeting also addressed the ongoing controversy over US tariffs. The US said its measures were not defensive actions but were justified except
