EU to Tighten Steel Import Rules by Summer 2026
The European Commission is set to introduce new steel import rules globally, with few exceptions, by summer 2026. The move aims to safeguard the EU steel industry from global overcapacities and replace existing news measures that expire next year.
The Commission's proposal, to be submitted to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, includes a significant reduction in duty-free steel imports to 11.2 million metric tons annually, a 63% decrease from the current 30.5 million metric tons. To protect the EU steel industry, the Commission also plans to increase the tariff on steel imports exceeding the new quota to 50%, up from the current 25%.
The new rules, planned to apply globally with no country-specific quotas, will not exempt Switzerland, despite its previous benefits under the current safeguard news. The EU Commission is open to negotiations with economic partners to find solutions but offers no guarantee that established trade flows will be maintained. The Commission is expected to meet with various economic partners, including trade ministers from countries affected by the proposed steel tariffs, to address the global steel problem.
The Commission's proposal, intended to replace the current EU safeguard measures that have been in place since June 2018, is subject to approval by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament. If approved, the new rules are expected to come into effect by summer 2026, marking a significant shift in the EU's approach to steel imports.
