The European Commission has already proposed new measures to protect EU steelmakers from the impact of imports: a new duty-free import volume of 18.3 million metric tons per year, 47% less than the quotas in 2024, and a doubling of the out-of-quota tariff to 50%.

In response to this policy, representatives of manufacturers of goods ranging from cars and household appliances to agricultural machinery issued a statement asserting that the measures go too far in restricting the European market. They urge EU policymakers to ensure a more careful and balanced approach in the legislative process for adopting the measure, which must adequately reflect the significant concerns and challenges faced by European steel users.

European manufacturers of goods said the protectionist measure could cost them between EUR 5 billion to 9 billion in additional tariffs each year.

Due to US imports and tariffs, EU steel mills were operating at only 67% of capacity, and the new measures are intended to push this figure to 80%.