The European Commission will cap tariff-free steel imports at 18.3 million metric tons and raise the above-quota tariff to 50% from 25%, aiming to protect EU steelmakers while risking higher costs for steel users.
The European Union will tighten steel import safeguards from Wednesday by capping tariff-free imports at 18.3 million metric tons and doubling the tariff on volumes above that threshold to 50% from 25%. The European Commission said the move is intended to protect the bloc’s steel industry from overcapacity, with half of the quota reserved for countries that have free-trade agreements with the EU. The policy may support domestic steel producers, but it could also raise costs and supply pressures for steel-dependent industries and risk aggravating trade tensions.