The Commission is asking industry stakeholders to share their views and assessments on the scenarios by August 18, 2025. The views will be collected through a “Call for Evidence” and a questionnaire in the EU Questionnaire. The resulting data will directly inform the Commission's legislative proposal, which is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.
The Commission also announced that it will prepare a “Staff Working Document” to accompany this process. The document will analyze the impact of the scenarios on the EU steel supply chain through economic modeling.
Background and Previous Developments
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has identified the steel sector as one of the pillars of European prosperity. Accordingly, the Competitiveness Compass for the EU, published on January 29, 2025, identified steel and metals as key action areas. Furthermore, the Steel Strategic Dialogue hosted by the Commission on 4 March 2025 discussed the challenges facing the sector and the urgent measures to be taken.
Under the Steel and Metals Action Plan adopted on 19 March 2025, the Commission announced coordinated action in various policy areas, in particular trade. It committed to propose a new safeguard measure by the third quarter of 2025.
The EU first introduced the steel safeguard in 2019, citing the increase in steel imports and market deviations. It was extended for another two years in June 2024 following an investigation at the request of 14 member states. The investigation found that the measure was still necessary to protect EU steel producers from serious harm.
Commissioner Ševčovič: “We Are Determined to Protect the Sector”
Maroš Ševčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, commented on the launch of the consultation process: "Our steel sector is of strategic importance for the EU economy and the Commission's commitment to support - and where necessary protect - it is absolute. With this consultation, we invite those who know the sector best to share their valuable insights."
After analyzing the views gathered, the Commission will finalize the legislative proposal and make a summary of the feedback public. The new regulation is expected to be an important step to protect Europe's industrial strength and safeguard the sector against the negative effects of unfair trade.
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