Steel World Review | European Steelmakers Call for Heavy Tariffs to Counter Cheap Imports; Warning About the Risk of Industry Collapse
Major steel producers in Europe, warning of a deep crisis in the industry, have called on the European Commission to impose heavy tariffs similar to those of the United States to counter the wave of cheap imports.
According to the Financial Times, steel imports into the European Union reached about 28 million tons in 2024 — almost twice the average of the past decade. This sharp increase is a direct result of cheap steel being redirected from China and other countries to the European market after the U.S. decision to impose a 50% tariff on steel imports.
Companies such as Thyssenkrupp have warned that if this trend continues, many European plants could be forced to shut down, while key industries such as automotive, which rely on high-quality European steel, may face serious shortages. In addition to import pressures, high energy costs have also dealt a heavy blow to the competitiveness of steelmakers.
According to the report, France and 10 other member states of the European Union have supported the plan to impose a 50% tariff beyond the designated quota. In addition, the proposal to implement the “melted and poured origin” rule has been raised to prevent Chinese steel from bypassing tariffs by being exported through third countries.
The European Commission has promised to introduce new measures to protect this strategic industry by the end of the current quarter. Experts say this issue is not just an economic matter but is directly tied to Europe’s industrial and defense security, as reliance on steel imports from outside the Union could endanger the continent’s strategic independence.
