EU steelmakers welcome new quota system, UK industry warns of problems with market access

The recently announced EU trade measure, which replaces the previous protective regime with a stricter tariff quota system, has attracted widespread support from European steel producers, who see its introduction as a necessary response to global overcapacity and import pressure, while representatives of the British industry welcomed the continued partial duty-free access, but They warned that reducing quotas and tightening trade conditions could put pressure on steel exporters and processing consumers.

The European Commission detailed the allocation of quotas for specific countries under the new post-protection regime, which sets an annual duty-free volume of 18.35 million tons for 26 categories of steel products, with quotas divided into quarterly volumes and divided between FTA partners and other exporting countries., as previously reported by SteelOrbis.

The European steel industry welcomes stronger protection

The European Steel Producers Association (EUROFER) has welcomed the new EU steel trade measure, calling it a landmark shift in industrial and trade policy that could help restore up to 15 million tons of lost European steel production.

EUROFER CEO Axel Eggert said the measure marks a turning point for the European steel industry, giving producers breathing room to recover while supporting competitiveness, decarbonization and industrial sustainability. The association added that the new structure should eventually be extended to steel-processing products to protect the broader production value chain from import pressures.

Despite the tightening of the regime, EUROFER noted that 18.3 million tons of steel imports will still be allowed duty-free in the EU each year, stressing that the distribution of TRQ must remain fair and reflect established trade flows and integrated supply chains.

Germany calls for loopholes to be closed

The German Steel Federation (WV Stahl) also welcomed the new changes, calling them an effective response to global overcapacity and growing import pressures. Appreciating the introduction of a more flexible quota mechanism