Assofermet joined the EUROMETAL campaign for increasing the competitiveness of the EU industry

Assofermet, an association representing Italian companies active in the trade, distribution and processing of steel, scrap and non-ferrous metals, participated in a demonstration organized by EUROMETAL in Brussels on September 7 to urge European institutions to take measures to support industrial competitiveness and ensure a more balanced competitive import from Italy. third countries.

According to SteelOrbis, about 200 representatives of the European metalworking industry took part in the action, gathering at the European Commission to draw attention to the growing competition imbalance between European companies that are subject to strict environmental and regulatory requirements, and in the EU, manufacturers of steel-intensive products that can gain access to the European market without being subject to equivalent restrictions..

Assofermet has approved EUROMETAL's call to extend protections for the entire value chain beyond primary steel production, highlighting the risks posed by a system in which restrictions on steel imports may ultimately shift competitive pressure to the lower stages of the production chain.

" This is an unprecedented initiative in the sector that we represent. It was peaceful, but at the same time decisive, sending a strong and direct message aimed, looking ahead, at involving all stakeholders affected by European Union policy," said Paolo Sangoi, President of Assofermet Acciai..

Protection of the entire creation chain стоимости

A key element of Assofermet's position is the extension of protective trade measures to products outside the steel industry. "The imposition of duties and restrictions only on raw materials is a dangerous injustice," Sangoy said.

Assofermet Thus, it is argued that trade protection instruments should also be extended to intermediate and finished products, as well as to steel-containing components, in order to prevent imported goods from taking advantage of production and regulatory conditions. different from those applied to European companies.

According to the association, the risk lies in the fact that strengthening the protection of steel produced in Europe may eventually lead to the punishment of those companies that use steel as a raw material. If the costs and regulatory burden associated with steel for European companies increase, while competing finished products from third countries will not be subject to similar restrictions, part of the production may gradually move outside the European Union.

Transition costs and competition beyond ЕС

In its statement, Assofermet also stressed that European companies are making significant investments and significant costs related to compliance with EU environmental standards, while competing in the domestic market with operators who are not subject to the same requirements.

According to the association, the strengthening of trade protection cannot be considered separately from the needs of the European Union. productions. "Thus, strengthening trade protection instruments should be accompanied by a comprehensive review of the production chain, from raw materials to finished products, so that EU decisions can provide concrete support to companies and help maintain production activities in Europe," the statement said..

Assofermet's call is therefore part of a broader European discussion on how to combine decarbonization, the protection of the steel industry and the competitiveness of the processing industries. EUROMETAL stressed that the goal should not be to be against European climate policy, but rather to ensure that the same principles are applied throughout the value chain.