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Economic and steel market outlook 2019-2020, first quarter
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The EU28 steel market is estimated to have risen by 2.6% in 2018. The increase in steel demand predominantly benefitted third country suppliers owing to a rise of 12.3% in imports whereas domestic producers hardly gained from the growth in domestic steel demand given the meagre 0.6% increase in their deliveries to the EU28 market.
The sharp year-on-year increase in imports in the second half of the year clearly illustrates that in spite of the preliminary safeguard measures imposed by the EU Commission in July 2018 the EU market was besieged by imports. This shows that market access to other regions was blocked more effectively by protectionist measures in those places, thereby leading to a continued diversion of steel to the EU market.
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Brussels, 11 July 2025 – The delay and ongoing uncertainty about a deal on tariffs between the EU and the U.S. further worsens the crisis for the European steel industry. U.S. steel tariffs at 50% are adding fuel to an already explosive situation, putting the sector at risk of losing all its exports to the U.S. and facing a surge of deflected trade flows redirected from the U.S. to the EU market. The lack of bold and timely implementation of the Steel and Metals Action Plan is further accelerating the sector’s deterioration, says the European Steel Association.
Brussels, 02 July 2025 – The 90% climate target proposed today by the European Commission demands an unprecedented transformation of EU society and industry in just 15 years. The European steel industry is already doing its part, but a viable business case for the transition is still lacking. To enable it, the EU needs to implement the Steel and Metals Action Plan much more decisively, delivering a highly effective trade protection against global overcapacity, access to internationally competitive low carbon energy and scrap, and a watertight CBAM, says the European Steel Association.
How global overcapacity is destroying European industries
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
